Former Mayor of London and Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, has been announced as the new Conservative leader, succeeding Theresa May.

The ballot outcome of about 160,000 Tory members revealed that Johnson received 92,153 votes while his rival, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Jeremy Hunt received 46,656.

Of the 160,000 Tory members eligible to vote, 509 ballot papers were rejected. A turnout of 87.4% was recorded, with Johnson taking 66% of the votes.

Speaking following his appointment, Johnson said it is the Conservatives who know best how to manage “the jostling instincts of the human heart” and “people’s desire to own a home, look after their money, look after the needy and share prosperity”.

Johnson thanked Theresa May for her service and said the Tories must again manage two instincts: the desire for internationalism, trade and co-operation on one hand, and on the other the need for “democratic self-government in this country”.

“We must deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat Jeremy Corbyn. And that is what we are going to do”.
 
Johnson is due to officially take up the position tomorrow, 24 July.

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