Boris Johnson bowed out of Britain’s parliament in his final question and answer session as prime minister on Wednesday, where he defended his record and launched a “Hasta la vista, baby” to applause from the Tories.
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“Mission largely accomplished”, assured the Prime Minister, looking back on his three years in power, affirming that he would spend the next few weeks “doing what I think the public expects me to do: moving forward on the files on which we were elected in 2019”.
“These past few years have been the greatest privilege of my life,” added the 58-year-old prime minister, who resigned on July 7 after a series of scandals and lies. “Hasta la vista, baby” he concluded to the applause of the deputies of his camp, taking up the famous quote from Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Terminator 2”.
Boris Johnson’s successor will be known on September 5, the end of the parliamentary recess which begins on Friday.
Opposition leader Keir Starmer questioned him about the ongoing Tory campaign to replace him in Downing Street, questioning him in particular about the cancellation of a televised debate organized on Sky News.
“Well, I’m not particularly close to the subject,” said the Prime Minister, smiling, to the laughter of the deputies. But he took the opportunity to give “some advice” to whoever will succeed him in Downing Street.
“Stay close to Americans, support Ukrainians, fight for freedom and democracy everywhere. Lower taxes and deregulate where you can to make this country the best place to live and invest. »
Tory MPs vote for a fifth and final time on Wednesday to designate the two finalist candidates. They are three still in the running: former Minister of Defense Rishi Sunak, the head of diplomacy Liz Truss and the Secretary of State for International Trade Penny Mordaunt.
