Boris Johnson Takes Over as Britain PM Following May’s Resignation

Boris Johnson took over as Britain PM on Wednesday

(Photo: AP)

Boris Johnson officially became Britain's new Prime Minister on Wednesday, 24 July, and promised to leave the European Union on 31 October "no ifs, no buts" under a "new deal" with the 28-member economic bloc.

The 55-year-old former foreign secretary and London Mayor met Queen Elizabeth II, who asked him to form a new administration, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

A picture released by the palace showed Johnson shaking hands with the 93-year-old monarch and bowing. Speaking outside Downing Street after his appointment by the Queen, Johnson said he wanted to "change the country for the better".

He said the UK would leave the EU on October 31 “no ifs, no buts”. “The buck stops with me,” he added.

The newly appointed Prime Minister said "his job is to serve the people".

Theresa May, who was forced to resign amid a mounting rebellion from within her party over her Brexit strategy that failed to clear the Parliament votes threshold three times, earlier in the day formally tendered her resignation to the Queen.

As the face of hard Brexit in the ruling Conservative Party, Johnson has pledged to get Britain out of the European Union (EU) within the deadline of 31 October – with or without a deal.

The prospect will prove divisive as the Opposition Labour Party and pro-EU Liberal Democrats have already voiced plans to bring down his government if he attempts a drastic no-deal exit from the EU.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has demanded that Johnson call a General Election and promised to table a motion of no confidence in him “when it is appropriate to do so”.

The MPs from within Johnson's own party remain vehemently opposed to a no-deal Brexit, with Chancellor Philip Hammond, justice secretary David Gauke and international development secretary Rory Stewart among some of the Cabinet members who have already declared their defiance by refusing to serve in his Cabinet.