Britain’s new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, delivers a speech outside Downing Street, in London, Britain July 24, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKayBoris Johnson officially took charge as UK Prime Minister, after meeting Queen Elizabeth II, who asked him to form a new administration. Johnson has vowed that he will get ‘a new deal, a better deal’ from the European Union and promised that the UK will leave EU on October 31 and there are ‘no if’s and buts’ about it.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the Queen met with Johnson and invited him to form the government. “The Queen received in audience The Right Honourable Boris Johnson MP this afternoon and requested him to form a new administration,” the statement said.
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“Mr Johnson accepted Her Majesty’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury,” it added.
London: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London. (Source: AP/PTI)In a 12-minute speech outside the prime minister’s residence at 10 Downing Street, Johnson delivered a thrusting rebuke to those who have criticised his planned approach as light on detail and heavy on rhetoric. “The doubters, the doomsters, the gloomsters – they are going to get it wrong again,” Johnson was quoted as saying by Reuters.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Johnson on his new role. Taking to Twitter, Modi said, “I wish you success and look forward to working with you to further strengthen India – UK partnership in all spheres.”
Congratulations @BorisJohnson on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
I wish you success and look forward to working with you to further strengthen India – UK partnership in all spheres. @10DowningStreet pic.twitter.com/ATWVf5fhHi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2019
In reference to India-UK relations, Johnson said he wants to pursue a new trade deal and is expected to build on his self-confessed “personal relationship” with PM Modi to deliver a “truly special” bilateral relationship, PTI quoted him as saying.
Johnson replaces Theresa May, who announced her resignation last month after the Parliament repeatedly rejected the withdrawal agreement she struck with the EU. The leader of the Conservative Party defeated rival Jeremy Hunt by winning a two-third majority of the votes.
May, in a final speech outside 10 Downing Street, said it had been “the greatest honour” to serve as Britain’s prime minister and claimed she was glad her successor was committed to “delivering on the vote of the people in 2016” to leave the 28-nation bloc.
