British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has delivered his last speech before stepping down. He stressed his achievements and called for support for Liz Truss, who assumed the post.
The outgoing prime minister spoke in front of his staff and reporters outside his 10 Downing Street office on Tuesday.
He said, “Through that lacquered black door a new prime minister will shortly go to meet a fantastic group of public servants.”
He said they carried out the exit from the European Union, delivered the fastest vaccine roll out in Europe and organized early supplies of weapons to the “heroic” Ukrainian armed forces.
Johnson said the current energy crisis has been caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He said, “Liz Truss and this compassionate Conservative government will do everything we can to get people through this crisis. And this country will endure it and we will win.”
About himself, he said, “I am now like one of those booster rockets that has fulfilled its function. And I will now be gently re-entering the atmosphere and splashing down invisibly in some remote and obscure corner of the Pacific.” This comment drew some laughs among the crowd.
Toward the end of his speech, Johnson thanked the voters for giving him the chance to serve. He then said, “We have laid foundations that will stand the test of time.” He called for “paving the path of prosperity now and for future generations.”
Johnson did not touch on scandals linked to him and the chaos caused by Brexit during the seven-plus-minute speech.
Johnson then headed to Balmoral Castle in Scotland to report his resignation to Queen Elizabeth.
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