What’s next for Boris Johnson and the British government after his resignation?

Last week, the world’s eyes were brought to the United Kingdom after another scandal rocked 10 Downing Street, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. By the end of June, before the Chirs Pincher scandel became fully public more than seventy percent of the public believed that Johnson was not an effective leaders of the country. However, Johnson’s favorability among Conservative voters stood at fifty percent.

Though exactly when Johnson will be leaving his seat of power remains unclear. The Torries will announce this week the timeline for the transition of power, but some in the party, including Johnson, hope that he will be able to hold onto power until the autumn.

The party is divided over when Johnson should step aside, but the opposition has made it clear that they would like him to go ASAP. In addition to the Chris Pincher scandal, Johnson has admitted to speaking with a Russian former-KGB agent and never reported the meeting to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Labour leaders see this meeting, and the possibility of others, as a threat to national security.

Will he retake his seat in the House of Commons?

Once he steps down, as prime minister, the next question of whether or not he will retake his seat in the House of Commons.

Theresa May returned to parliament, whereas David Cameron left politics altogether.

Now, Boris Johnson, the third prime minster to be removed as leader of the Conservative Party in the last six years, will have to decide his political future. All that is known so far is that Johnson is hoping to stay on as a caretaker PM until the Conservative Party chooses a new leader.

Opposition reject the idea of Johnson staying on as a “caretaker”

This idea has been flatly rejected by most of the opposition. The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, took to Twitter, calling the idea “ludicrous.”

Labour leader Kier Starmer has begun to campaign for general elections to be held.

Many challenges lie ahead for the next prime minister

Whoever succeeds Johnson will inherit an extremely challenging mandate.

Historic inflation, shortages, brexit, and covid-19 are just some of the issues the next prime minister will be facing.

In the coming weeks the Parliment was schedueld to vote over the compromise agreement relating to the trade status of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This is a very senative issue for both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland given the violent history between the two countries.

When could the next elections be held?

The next general elections must take place before 24 January 2025, meaning the Tories will have a couple years to regain the public’s trust.