Boris Johnson widely expected to be next UK prime minister after party vote

The United Kingdom’s governing Conservative Party will announce Prime Minister Theresa May’s successor today.

Brexiteer Boris Johnson is widely expected to win the premiership ahead of Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Mr Johnson is likely to face immediate cabinet turmoil should he assume the office. Chancellor Philip Hammond and Justice Secretary David Gauke have both announced their intention to resign before he would even officially succeed Ms May. Both MPs have suggested that they will work against Mr Johnson if his government pushes ahead with a no-deal Brexit.

If Mr Johnson cannot convince Conservatives opposed to a no-deal of his sincerity in negotiating a new Brexit deal with the EU, they could back an opposition-tabled motion of no-confidence—possibly triggering a general election.

Despite European leaders stressing that they will not revisit the current deal, Boris Johnson has stated that he is confident in his ability to extract a new agreement from the EU. His primary leverage for reopening negotiations is his expressed willingness to leave without a deal. Whether EU leaders will call a bluff remains to be seen, but even if the EU outright refuses his overtures, Mr Johnson will be able to make a compelling argument that despite his best efforts, a no-deal Brexit is the only option remaining for the UK.

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