BORIS Johnson today branded himself a “booster rocket that has fulfilled its function” in his final speech as PM – before begging MPs to get behind his successor.
In his farewell speech, Boris urged Tory MPs to rally behind Liz Truss following weeks of brutal blue-on-blue infighting during the Tory leadership campaign.
Boris Johnson gives his last ever speech as PM outside No10
MP supporters of Boris Johnson watch as he gives his final speech
Nadine Dorries and Rachel Johnson in Downing Street to watch Boris Johnson
Calling for the Tory party to unite he said: “It’s time for politics to be over folks.
“It’s time for us all to get behind Liz Truss and her team and her programme and deliver for the people of this country.”
BoJo added that his successor will be given “nothing but the most fervent support”.
He said that if his dog Dilyn and the No10 resident cat Larry can get along, so can Tory MPs.
On the cost of living crisis bringing doom and gloom to Britain, Mr Johnson promised the next Conservative government will give support to those struggling.
He vowed: “We have and will continue to have that economic strength to give people the cash they need to get through this energy crisis that has been caused by Putin’s vicious war.
“I know that 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.”
Speaking from outside Downing Street for the final time, Boris compared himself to a booster rocket as he said he would re-enter politics “gently”.
He said: “I am now like one of those booster rockets that has fulfilled its function and I will now be gently reentering the atmosphere and splashing down invisibly in some remote and obscure corner of the Pacific.”
The PM was ousted as Tory leader in July by mutinous MPs following string of scandals that came to haunt his premiership.
The Owen Patterson sleaze affair, Partygate and handling of the Chris Pincher groping scandal all led to the PM’s downfall.
Today his top job will be taken over by Liz Truss, who beat rival Rishi Sunak to win the Tory leadership race.
She’s promised to slash taxes, shrink the size of the state and help hard-up Brits with soaring energy bills.
BoJo and Ms Truss will now fly to Scotland to meet the Queen at Balmoral Castle.
The PM will formally resign and the Queen will “kiss hands” with Ms Truss, who she’ll appoint as PM.
The new Tory leader then delivers the first speech of her premiership at 4pm from outside No10.
Ms Truss is expected to announce her new Cabinet this evening, but BoJo is unlikely to be picked for a spot on the top table – at least for now.
Mr Johnson said that as a backbencher he’ll want to focus on the horrible war in Ukraine, ensuring it doesn’t slip off the political agenda.
Mr Johnson could mount a spectacular comeback if Ms Truss proves a flop.
He is still very popular among Tory members and senior MPs in the party.
Several Tories have privately described their “seller’s remorse” about ditching their leader and are discussing ways he could return.
Mr Johnson has refused to rule out another go at the top job.
