Boris Johnson resigns as PM - North Yorkshire reaction

Johnson announced his resignation as leader of the Conservative party in a statement outside No 10 Downing Street.

He said: "It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party and so a new prime minister.

"I've agreed with Sir Graham Brady... that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now."

Johnson stepped down from the role following the resignations of over 50 MPs, including high-profile cabinet ministers Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid.

The resignations came as a result of substantial criticism of Boris Johnson's government, and after the PM apologised for appointing MP Chris Pincher to a government role, despite there being a complaint against him.

Johnson will remain in power as a caretaker leader until autumn, with a new Conservative leader set to be in place for the party's conference in October.

He said that the timetable for choosing the next Conservative leader will be revealed next week. 

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said he was ‘sorry to hear’ about Johnson’s resignation.

The Conservative MP said: “I am sorry to hear that Boris Johnson has today announced his resignation as Prime Minister.

“As you know, I supported him throughout the turbulence of the last three years and always admired his strength, resilience and optimism, which proved so effective in his delivery of Brexit, tackling of the Covid Crisis and support for Ukraine.

“Sadly, his position finally became untenable following the revelations and reactions to the Chris Pincher affair.

“We should now prioritise a respectful leadership contest and a smooth transition.”

Conservative MP for York Outer, Julian Sturdy, said on Twitter that he was ‘relieved’ at Johnson's decision to resign and urged the Prime Minister to ‘leave Downing Street this week.’

I am relieved the Prime Minister has accepted that the only way to bring stability to Government is his resignation. It is the best decision for the country, and we can now begin the process of rebuilding public trust and refocusing on the major challenges facing the country.

— Julian Sturdy MP (@JulianSturdy) July 7, 2022

York Central Labour MP Rachael Maskell urged the Johnson to stop ‘clinging on’ and leave office.

She said on Twitter: “The Prime Minister may be occupying No.10 but he is certainly not running our country.

“He has to stop clinging on ...... GO.”

We keep being told that we have a functioning Government, but there aren't Ministers in office to undertake those functions. The Prime Minister may be occupying No.10 but he is certainly not running our country. He has to stop clinging on ...... GO.

— 💙Rachael Maskell MP (@RachaelMaskell) July 7, 2022

Maskell also said: “Not before time, Boris Johnson’s world of cheating, lying and deceit has come crashing down around him, dragging his Party into chaos and despair.

"Along the way there have been so many casualties from his personal and political decisions.

“It is time to ask the country who they want to govern them next.”

An online Twitter poll by the Gazette and Herald found that, of those that voted, 85% agreed with Johnson’s decision to resign and 14% were against it.

Was Boris Johnson right to go?

— Gazette & Herald, Ryedale (@gazetteherald) July 7, 2022

People commenting on the Gazette's social media pages and website shared their views on Boris Johnson's resignation. 

One user wrote that they would like “none of the present government” to be the next Prime Minister.

Another user said: “Johnson made some good major calls, but some bad minor ones. I just hope the next PM is as resolute about Putin and everyone else seems to be shying away.”