Boris Johnson's plans to remain as PM are 'unwise' and 'unsustainable', warns Sir John Major

The possibility Boris Johnson could stay on until the autumn after his resignation today has caused concern among government and opposition leaders, with fears he could put through legislation without the support of his MPs.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson reads a statement outside 10 Downing Street, London, formally resigning as Conservative Party leader after ministers and MPs made clear his position was untenable. He will remain as Prime Minister until a successor is in place. Picture date: Thursday July 7, 2022.
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Boris Johnson's plan to remain prime minister after resigning is "unwise, and may be unsustainable", former PM Sir John Major has warned.

In a letter to the Tory 1922 Committee, he warned it means Mr Johnson "maintains the power... to make decisions which will affect the lives of those within all four nations of the United Kingdom and further afield".

It comes as new Welsh Secretary Sir Robert Buckland, a former solicitor general, said: "This prime minister no longer has the political authority to do new things."

Sir John continued: "For the overall wellbeing of the country, Mr Johnson should not remain in Downing Street - when he is unable to command the confidence of the House of Commons - for any longer than necessary to effect the smooth transition of government."

Politics Hub: Boris Johnson resigns - live reaction and analysis

His warning came after Mr Johnson resigned but said he would remain as PM until a new Conservative leader is appointed. A timetable for that will be announced next week but it is believed a new leader may not be in place until October.

A few hours after his resignation speech, Mr Johnson tweeted: "I want to thank you, the British public, for the immense privilege of serving you as prime minister.

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"I want you to know that from now until my successor is in place, your interests will be served and the government of the country will be carried on."

Sir John, who was PM from 1990 to 1997, suggested Mr Johnson could resign and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab could take charge of the country until the election of a new Conservative Party leader.

Alternatively, "in the unique and pressing circumstances of the moment", the committee could arrange for MPs to elect a new leader, with the winner being installed as the new PM - then endorsed by party members, he said.

"Neither of these options is ideal but the interests of the country must be given priority over all else", he added.

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Johnson's resignation speech in full

Vote of no confidence

Earlier, Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said he would table a vote of no confidence in parliament if Mr Johnson tried to "cling on" as a "caretaker" PM.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey also said his party would support the Labour motion should Mr Johnson refuse to leave immediately.

Sir Keir said "he needs to go completely", adding "none of this nonsense about clinging on for a few months".

He added: "He's inflicted lies, fraud and chaos in the country.

"And, you know, we're stuck with a government which isn't functioning in the middle of a cost of living crisis."

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Starmer: We will bring no confidence vote

The possibility Mr Johnson could stay on as a "caretaker" prime minister until the autumn has also caused concern among Conservative MPs.

The cabinet is split over whether Mr Johnson should stay or not until a new Conservative leader is appointed in October, sources close to the government have told Sky News.

Some ministers are already calling for somebody else to act as a caretaker PM over the summer, while others believe Mr Johnson should take on the role for the security of the country.

Some fear if he stays on, Mr Johnson could take decisions on key areas like tax and Northern Ireland that might be opposed by possible successors.

Similar concerns would also arise if Mr Raab was the interim PM.

Former prime minister Theresa May avoided answering whether she would step in as a caretaker PM and said she did not think there will be one, "in the sense of somebody else coming into that role".

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said "we now need a new leader as soon as practicable", while recently-resigned science minister George Freeman agreed a "caretaker prime minister should be appointed".

Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria in the Royal Box on day eleven of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. Picture date: Thursday July 7, 2022.
Image: Sir Keir and his wife Victoria were seen looking jolly at Wimbledon as Mr Johnson resigned

Bim Afolami, who quit as vice-chair of the Conservative Party, also agreed and Ruth Davidson, former Scottish Tory party leader, said there was "no way" he can stay until October.

"It's arrant nonsense to think he can. Someone needs to grip this," she added.

Tory MP Aaron Bell, who is on the procedure committee and fixed-term parliaments act committee, said it would "not be tenable" for Mr Johnson to continue as a caretaker PM "if he cannot fill the ministerial appointments he needs to".

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon was vociferous in her opposition to the idea, saying the notion "seems far from ideal, and surely not sustainable".

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Lib Dems, was even more incredulous, saying: "The idea that the Conservatives might make Boris Johnson caretaker for anything is frankly ludicrous.

"The man's never taken care of anything in his life."