Boris Johnson, the former Mayor of London who was the leader of the campaign for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, announced on Thursday he will not be running for Prime Minister. Johnson was a top contender for the seat that is being vacated by David Cameron, who announced he will resign in favor of a new Conservative leader and Prime Minister, who will also be tasked with beginning negotiations with Brussels on the British exit.
"This is our chance to think globally again. To lift our eyes to the horizon, to bring our unique British voice and values, powerful, humane, progressive, to the great global forums without being elbows aside by supranational bodies. To seize this chance and make this our moment to stand tall in the world. That is the agenda for the next Prime Minister of this country. Well, I must tell you my friends, you who have waited faithfully for the punchline of this speech, that having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances in Parliament, I have concluded that that person can not be me", Johnson said.
His withdrawal leaves Home Secretary Theresa May and Justice Secretary Michael Gove as top contenders. May supported remaining in the EU, while Gove was the second highest profile supporter of Brexit. A number of other politicians have also submitted their candidacies, such as Welsh Tory politician Stephen Crabb, former Defense Secretary Liam Fox and Andrea Leadsom, who was propelled by the Brexit campaign among the leading Conservative politicians. The actual party vote to elect a new leader, who given the Tory lead in Parliament will most likely also be the next Prime Minister, takes place by October.