Over to you, Boris: Johnson sweeps into Buckingham Palace to become Prime Minister

Boris Johnson met the Queen at Buckingham Palace today as he formally took over as Prime Minister from Theresa May.

He arrived at the monarch’s London home shortly after 3.15pm after swerving a Greenpeace protest that tried to cut off his journey down the Mall from Westminster.

His car swept into the palace minutes after Theresa May had herself met the Queen to formally step down after three years – immediately heading for her home in Berkshire to begin life as a backbencher. 

She had emotionally wished her successor Johnson earlier as she delivered a thinly-veiled message that he must secure a Brexit deal.

Making a valedictory statement as she left Downing Street for the last time, the outgoing PM said the ‘immediate priority’ was to secure the departure from the EU ‘in a way that works for the whole United Kingdom’.

‘To serve as PM of the UK is the greatest honour,’ she said. ‘Thank you for putting your faith in me.’

Mrs May, who appeared to be choking back tears at times, voiced gratitude to her ‘biggest supporter’ husband Philip, who joined her in the street for her brief speech.

She said she hoped that ‘every girl’ would recognise from her example that there is ‘no limit’ to what they could achieve. 

At one point the speech was interrupted by a protester shouting ‘stop Brexit’, with Mrs May wryly responding: ‘I think not.’

Theresa May voiced gratitude to husband Philip, who joined her in Downing Street as she delivered her brief parting speech

The Mays walked away together to get into the PM's car for the last time to be taken to Buckingham Palace

The Mays walked away together to get into the PM’s car for the last time to be taken to Buckingham Palace

Mrs May travelled to Buckingham Palace for a final audience with the Queen this afternoon where she formally resigned as prime minister

Mrs May travelled to Buckingham Palace for a final audience with the Queen this afternoon where she formally resigned as prime minister

Mr Johnson later arrived at Buckingham palace where he was asked to form the next Government

Mr Johnson later arrived at Buckingham palace where he was asked to form the next Government

Mrs May emerged from the famous black door after a final lunch with aides and thanking staff. 

She then headed to Buckingham Palace to tell the Queen formally that she is resigning. The Palace confirmed that she had quit shortly after 3pm.

Mrs May was followed into see the monarch by Mr Johnson – who has spent the morning frantically finalising his team for government.  

The emotional words came after she was given a standing ovation by MPs in the Commons following her last PMQs.

The outgoing premier looked tearful as she was applauded from the chamber after making her swansong before handing over to Boris Johnson.  

But Jeremy Corbyn and most Labour MPs refused to get to their feet for the tribute – after the veteran left-winger ignored etiquette to attack Mrs May during her last Commons session. 

May bows out at Boris sweeps in: Johnson takes over as PM

Wednesday, 3.30pm: Boris Johhnson will go to see the Queen after Theresa May formally quits, and be asked to form a government. He is due arrive in Downing Street at around 4pm.  

He will then deliver a short speech in the street in front of the famous black door.   

His girlfriend Carrie Symonds is not thought to be planning to make an appearance when Mr Johnson enters Number 10. 

Wednesday evening: He will turn his attention to his first major task: His Cabinet reshuffle. 

He is expected to make appointments to the first few big jobs in the government but leave the less important ones for the next day. 

However, whether or not he will get to sack those ministers he does not want in his administration remains to be seen. 

A number of Remain-backing Tory big beasts have said they intend to resign before they can be pushed out. 

They include Chancellor Philip Hammond and Justice Secretary David Gauke.

Senior ministers including Chancellor Philip Hammond, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and Justice Secretary David Gauke have made good on their pledge to follow her out of the door. 

They tendered their own resignations having made clear they are not prepared to meet Mr Johnson’s demand that all Cabinet ministers commit to going for No Deal at Halloween if an agreement cannot be struck with the EU. 

Taking to the despatch box hours before she is due to go to see the Queen, Mrs May was lauded for her dedication by a series of MPs from across parties.

But Mr Corbyn used his six questions to jibe that she should be joining the Remainer revolt against the new PM to avoid No Deal.

Mrs May insisted her successor was right to vow to honour the result of the referendum. 

As her husband Philip watched from the gallery, Mrs May said she had done her best to get a deal through Parliament, and he should be ‘ashamed’ for blocking the UK from leaving.

‘At every stage his only interest has been in playing party politics. Frankly, he should be ashamed of himself,’ she said. 

In one last stinging rebuke she told Mr Corbyn: ‘As a party leader who has accepted their time has come, perhaps now is the time for him to do the same.’ 

Mrs May, who has served on the Tory front bench for 21 years, also made clear she intends to continue doing her ‘duty’ for the country as MP for Maidenhead after standing down from No10. 

Theresa May’s final speech as PM: The key quotes

Theresa May addressed the nation for the last time as PM this afternoon before heading to Buckingham Palace to resign.

Here are the key quotes from her last address in Downing Street.

On Boris

‘I wish him and the Government he will lead every good fortune in the months and years ahead.’

On Brexit 

‘Much remains to be done – the immediate priority being to complete our exit from the European Union in a way that works for the whole United Kingdom.

‘With success in that task can come a new beginning for our country – a national renewal that can move us beyond the current impasse into the bright future the British people deserve.’

A protester yelled ‘Stop Brexit!’ during the address and Mrs May replied: ‘The answer to that is “I think not”.’ 

On being PM

‘To serve as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the greatest honour.

‘The heavy responsibilities are outweighed by the huge potential to serve your country. 

‘But you achieve nothing alone.’ 

On inspiring women

‘This is a country of aspiration and opportunity and I hope that every young girl who has seen a woman Prime Minister now knows for sure that there are no limits to what they can achieve.’

On her husband Philip

‘Finally and most of all, I want to thank my husband Philip – who has been my greatest supporter and my closest companion.’

Closing the session – which lasted for more than an hour despite being schedule for half that – Mrs May said: ‘We are living through extraordinary political times. This House of Commons is rightly at the centre of those events.

‘That’s because of the vital link between every single member of this House and the communities, the Commons that we represent.

‘That’s the bedrock of our parliamentary democracy and of our liberty.

‘And each of us, wherever we sit and whatever we stand for, can take pride in that.’

The Prime Minister’s voice faltered as she made her final remarks: ‘That duty to my constituents will remain my greatest motivation.’

Mrs May was flanked on the government benches by senior ministers including Mr Hammond and David Lidington – who were also leaving government. 

The Prime Minister says she will continue with her duties from the back benches as she faces her final Prime Minister’s Questions as PM.

Speaking in the Commons, she said: ‘This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

‘Following my duties in this House this afternoon I shall have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.

‘I shall then continue with my duties in this House from the back benches where I will continue to be the member of parliament for Maidenhead.’

After the PMQs session, Mrs May headed back to No10 where she thanked staff behind closed doors.

They lined the edges of Downing Street as the departing premier delivered her last words before quitting.  

When she announced her intention to resign back in May, the PM was unable to hold back her tears.

Mrs May will the head to Buckingham Palace to tender her resignation to the Queen.

Mr Johnson will follow her in, to be asked to form a new government. 

As the changeoever looms, Mr Johnson has been marshalling his forces for Brexit warfare.

The incoming PM has laid down a marker by appointing maverick Vote Leave chief Dominic Cummings as a top adviser.

Mr Cummings came up with the ‘take back control’ slogan and was behind the controversial claim that Brexit could free up £350million a week for the NHS.

Making a valedictory statement as she left Downing Street for the last time, the outgoing PM said the ‘immediate priority’ was to secure the departure from the EU ‘in a way that works for our country’

Mrs May paid tribute to her 'biggest supporter', husband Philip in her valedictory address in Downing Street today

Mrs May paid tribute to her ‘biggest supporter’, husband Philip in her valedictory address in Downing Street today

The couple walked away after the speech and within half-an-hour she was no long the Prime Minister of the UK

The couple walked away after the speech and within half-an-hour she was no long the Prime Minister of the UK

Mrs May was driven out of Downing Street in her official car for the last time before she leaves office this afternoon

Mrs May was driven out of Downing Street in her official car for the last time before she leaves office this afternoon

But he is known for his abrasive style, and MPs reacted with alarm at news of the appointment. 

One Johnson supporter told MailOnline he ‘lacks people skills’ and was ill-equipped to handle the pressure-cooker of No10. 

Hearing of the recruitment, another MP said incredulously: ‘Really?’ 

Johnson drafts in Vote Leave veterans to new Downing Street team 

Boris Johnson is marshalling his forces for Brexit warfare today as he prepares to take the reins at Downing Street.

The incoming PM has laid down a marker by appointing maverick Vote Leave chief Dominic Cummings as a top adviser.

A host of other veterans of the successful EU referendum campaign in 2016 are also being brought into the No10 fold with Mr Johnson.

Meanwhile, Brexiteers such as Priti Patel and Dominic Raab are in line for comebacks to the Cabinet. 

Sajid Javid is hotly tipped as the new Chancellor as Mr Johnson promises to create the ‘most diverse’ top table of government ever.

But Jeremy Hunt could be out on his ear after apparently turning down a move to defence – saying he will only accept staying as Foreign Secretary, becoming Chancellor, or being deputy PM. 

A host of other veterans of the successful EU referendum campaign in 2016 are also being brought into the No10 fold with Mr Johnson.

Meanwhile, Brexiteers such as Priti Patel and Dominic Raab are in line for comebacks to the Cabinet. 

Sajid Javid is hotly tipped as the new Chancellor as Mr Johnson promises to create the ‘most diverse’ top table of government ever.

But Jeremy Hunt could be out on his ear after apparently turning down a move to defence – saying he will only accept staying as Foreign Secretary, becoming Chancellor, or being deputy PM. 

Mr Johnson once joked that he had more chance of being ‘reincarnated as an olive’ than becoming PM – but today he will realise his dream.

The new Tory leader – who as a child said his ambition was to be ‘world king’ is frantically assembling his new team as he prepares will take over from Theresa May this afternoon .

Seeking to inject a ‘can-do’ spirit into government and force through Brexit by the end of October. Mr Johnson will promote a new generation of ministers.

Speculation is mounting today that Mr Johnson could call a snap election – with MPs saying he might need to ‘change the maths’ in the Commons to secure Brexit.

The incoming PM is facing a massive challenge to keep his ‘do or die’ promise to force through the UK’s departure from the EU by the end of October.

The government’s effective majority stands at just two – and could fall to one if, as expected, the Conservatives lose a by-election in Brecon next week.

Mr Johnson again played down the prospects of an early election when he addressed Tory MPs after winning the party leadership yesterday.

But allies admit that he might be left with no choice amid a potentially huge Remainer revolt against No Deal.

Meanwhile, the EU has flatly dismissed his calls to renegotiation the divorce package and remove the hated Irish border backstop.

Speculation mounts about snap election 

Speculation is mounting today that Boris Johnson could call a snap election – with MPs saying he might need to ‘change the maths’ in the Commons to secure Brexit.

The incoming PM is facing a massive challenge to keep his ‘do or die’ promise to force through the UK’s departure from the EU by the end of October.

The government’s effective majority stands at just two – and could fall to one if, as expected, the Conservatives lose a by-election in Brecon next week.

Mr Johnson again played down the prospects of an early election when he addressed Tory MPs after winning the party leadership yesterday.

But allies admit that he might be left with no choice amid a potentially huge Remainer revolt against No Deal.

Increasing number of MPs now believe that Mr Johnson could go for an election if Parliament blocks or delays Brexit. 

The speculation was fuelled after Nigel Farage suggested he is open to the idea of an electoral pact, and claimed US president Donald Trump would be fully behind such an ‘unstoppable’ the alliance.  

However, Mr Johnson’s key allies have insisted there is ‘no way’ they will do a deal with Mr Farage’s Brexit Party, despite the clear threat they face to the Tories’ chances. 

As ‘war games’ of Mr Johnson’s options sweep Westminster, a senior Tory MP told MailOnline a snap election on October 24 was a  ‘distinct possibility’.

They suggested Mr Johnson could spend August talking up his domestic agenda with eye-catching announcements of more money for police and education.

‘At the same time he is off around Europe, and the message he quickly learns is ”f*** off we’re not changing”,’ the MP said.

‘He comes back in September, smacks Corbyn around the park at PMQs, then turns round the second week and says, ”The trouble with Europe is they know this Parliament is on their side. So I am going to the country so we can get the maths sorted to get this done.”

‘That puts the Brexit Party out of business and, with the domestic agenda, it puts Labour out of business.’  

Labour claims to be plotting with Tory rebels 

Labour claimed it has been holding secret talks with Tory Remainer rebels over working together to collapse Boris Johnson’s government within weeks if he attempts a No Deal Brexit.

Barry Gardiner said that the opposition had been discussing the ‘nuclear option’  of supporting a no confidence vote in Mr Johnson’s Brexiteer administration.

The shadow international trade secretary’s admission came reports that as many as a dozen senior Tories could back Mr Corbyn if he calls for a vote of no confidence in the new government. 

Mr Hammond, who quit today rather than be sacked by Mr Johnson, and former chancellor Ken Clarke, have both refused to rule out he drastic step that would possibly see them lose the Tory whip. 

Labour claimed it has been holding secret talks with Tory Remainer rebels over working together to collapse Boris Johnson’s government within weeks if he attempts a No Deal Brexit.

Barry Gardiner said that the opposition had been discussing the ‘nuclear option’  of supporting a no confidence vote in Mr Johnson’s Brexiteer administration.

The shadow international trade secretary’s admission came reports that as many as a dozen senior Tories could back Mr Corbyn if he calls for a vote of no confidence in the new government. 

Mr Hammond, who quit today rather than be sacked by Mr Johnson, and former chancellor Ken Clarke, have both refused to rule out he drastic step that would possibly see them lose the Tory whip. 

Mr Gardiner named no names but asked if some Tories were talking to Labour he told the BBC ‘yes of course they are’ but that any move would depend on whether they were really prepared to go through with it.

‘We know that the Whips’ operation on the Conservative side can be very powerful and very effective,’ he said.

‘So we really do have to be clear (about) those Conservative MPs who say they will act in the nation’s best interest – even to the extent of voting down their own Conservative Government – because they like we are so concerned about the impact of no deal on the future of our country.’ 

Theresa May looked tearful as she was applauded from the chamber after making her swansong before handing over to Boris Johnson

Hammond, Stewart and Gauke QUIT: Remainer exodus begins as ministers jump before they are pushed by Boris Johnson and replaced with hardline Brexiteers  

Philip Hammond led an exodus of Remainer Cabinet ministers in quitting the Government this afternoon before Boris Johnson takes over as prime minister and steers the UK towards a possible No Deal Brexit.

The Chancellor honoured a weekend pledge to walk out rather than be part of an administration committed to a No Deal Brexit. 

He was followed by Justice Secretary David Gauke and Aid Secretary Rory Stewart, who had both long signposted their intention to resign before being fired by Mr Johnson. 

In his letter, published on Twitter, Mr Hammond said Mrs May’s successor must ‘be free to choose a Chancellor who is fully aligned with his policy position.’

In his letter, published on Twitter Mr Hammond (leaving Number 11 to attend PMQs today) said Mrs May's successor must 'be free to choose a Chancellor who is fully aligned with his policy position'

In his letter, published on Twitter Mr Hammond (leaving Number 11 to attend PMQs today) said Mrs May’s successor must ‘be free to choose a Chancellor who is fully aligned with his policy position’

He said: ‘We bequeath to our successors genuine choices, once a Brexit deal is done: The ability to choose, within fiscal rules, between increased public spending, reduced taxes, higher investment or progress towards faster debt reduction – or some combination of all four.

‘After a decade when the aftermath of the 2008-09 recession meant we had no choices, this is a luxury which our successors should use wisely.’

Others expected to quit include de-facto prime minister David Lidington. They follow three ministers who had already quit.

They are all expected to join a Remainer resistance to any attempt by Mr Johnson to take Britain out of Europe without a Brexit deal on October 31.

The move is being taken to pre-empt being sacked as he installs hardcore Brexiteers in their jobs.

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk