UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said goodbye to the British parliament today with the cinematic phrase “hasta la vista, baby”, during his latest debate in the House of Commons in which he claimed a “mission largely accomplished”.
The last few years have been the greatest privilege of my life. It’s true that I helped get the biggest ‘tory’ [conservative] majority in 40 years and a huge realignment in UK politics. We transformed our democracy and restored our national independence”, claimed the politician who will step down as prime minister in September.
Johnson also said that he helped the country “overcome a pandemic and save another country from barbarism”, in a reference to Ukraine.
“Frankly, that’s enough for now. Mission largely accomplished, for now”, he declared, concluding his speech with the phrase “hasta la vista, baby”, which became iconic after being used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie ‘Terminator Relentless 2: Judgment Day’ (1991).
On his way out, Johnson received a standing ovation from the Conservative party bench but, unlike other former Conservative prime ministers such as David Cameron, he was not applauded by the opposition.
Labor leader Keir Starmer began by wishing Boris Johnson and his family “good luck for the future”, acknowledging that the relationship between the main opposition force and the head of government “is never easy”.
But he did not spare his rival in the farewell, noting that none of the candidates for the succession said “a single decent thing” about the current conservative leader and that they all pointed out criticism of the executive during the televised debates.
Keir Starmer was referring to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Liz Truss, who recognized the need to change the current British economic policy, to the Secretary of State for Commerce, Penny Mordaunt, who regretted the fact that the Government had not “done enough”. , and former finance minister Rishi Sunak, who assumed that voters lack confidence in the executive.
The three politicians are currently contesting the sixth and final round of the election for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Today’s round aims to reduce the race to just two candidates, who will face a final vote by the party’s rank and file across the country during the month of August.
The winner is expected to be announced on 5 September, automatically becoming prime minister, with no need for a national election.
“I think the message coming out of this leadership election is pretty clear. They got us into this mess and they have no idea how to get out of it,” Starmer criticized.
Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Ian Blackford “personally” thanked the prime minister for increasing support for independence, although polls show that Scots remain divided on the issue.
“The Tories’ Brexit cut 31 billion pounds [36 billion euros] from the economy, the biggest drop in living standards since the 1970s. history. The worst economic growth forecast in the G20 outside Russia and the highest inflation in the last 40 years”, he accused.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey advocated a legislative election to legitimize a new prime minister, for which Boris Johnson left some advice “whatever it is.”
“Number one, stay close to the Americans and defend the Ukrainians, defend freedom and democracy everywhere,” Boris Johnson began, adding that he must also “cut taxes and deregulate wherever he can to make this [country] the best place to live and invest”.
In a veiled criticism of Rishi Sunak, Johnson said he “loves” the Ministry of Finance, but defended investment in infrastructure to stimulate the economy, noting that if they had always listened to the warnings about increased public spending “we would not have built the [highway ] M25 or the Channel Tunnel”.
“Focus on the path ahead. But always remember to look in the rearview mirror. And remember, above all, it’s not Twitter that counts, it’s the people who sent us here”, he stressed.
The election among Britain’s Conservatives was sparked when Johnson resigned as Conservative leader two weeks ago, following the mass dismissal of government officials over months of ethical scandals.
Boris Johnson will remain in office until a replacement is chosen.
Source: With Agencies
