‘Go now so we can clean up this mess’ - Bristol MPs react to Boris Johnson resignation

Bristol MPs have reacted to the news that Boris Johnson is stepping down from his role as Prime Minister after being hit with a wave of resignations from Conservative MPs and ministers.

More than 50 MPs have resigned from Gonvernment or party roles since Tuesday evening (July 5), with the ‘mass exodus’ triggered by the resignations of Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid from Cabinet.

In a public statement over his resignation outside No 10 Downing Street today (July 7), Mr Johnson said it was ‘clearly the will’ of the Conservative party.

He indicated his intention to remain in place as interim Prime Minister until his successor is decided in October.

Here’s what MPs in Bristol had to say about it.

Thangam Debbonaire, Labour MP for Bristol West

“This Tory government has been paralysed by sleaze and scandal. It is unfit to govern. Instead of dealing with the cost of living crisis, the new Chancellor spent his first day in office asking the Prime Minister to quit.

“The Attorney General was on television, not to talk about legal aid cuts or rising case backlogs, but to announce her own leadership bid. We have no functioning government.

“The Prime Minister needs to go immediately. Not in a few months. Now.

“If the Tories can’t get rid of him, Labour will step up and bring a vote of no confidence.”

Darren Jones, Labour MP for Bristol North West

“The Prime Minister’s resignation is long overdue, and I welcome the news. But the suggestion that Boris can remain in office until the autumn is absurd.

“It is time for Boris to put his pride to one side and, for once, do what is in the best interests of the country. It is time for Boris to quit his political vandalism. It is time for Boris to exit.”

Karin Smyth, Labour MP for Bristol South

“After the sorry spectacle of the last 24 hours, the Prime Minister has finally been forced to announce his resignation.

“But communities in South Bristol and across the country are crying out for far more than this - they don’t want a rearranging of deck chairs, they want an end to this broken Tory government.”

Kerry McCarthy, Labour MP for Bristol East

“Boris Johnson was never fit to be Prime Minister. His colleagues knew that - it’s a damning indictment of the modern Tory Party that they backed him in the first place and then defended his premiership for so long. Even now, some of our local Tory MPs are still supporting him.

“He can’t be trusted to remain in office until a successor is appointed. He has to go now and let others try to clear up the mess.”