Following several calls from opposition parties and crucially, his own MPs, Boris Johnson has finally announced his intention to step down.

The Prime Minister has been hit by an avalanche of resignations in the past few days, sparked by Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid's decisions to quit their Cabinet roles on Tuesday.

For dozens of ministers, the allegations against former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher, which Mr Johnson admitted he was aware of, were the final straw.

In an address to the nation this lunchtime, Mr Johnson didn't offer any apology for the latest scandal or indeed, any other scandal that forced his Government to collapse.

Instead, he said he regretted failing to convince his Cabinet that changing leader would be "eccentric".

"I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them's the breaks," he said from outside Number 10.


Read more: Live updates as Hampshire reacts to Prime Minister's resignation


He will remain in office until the Conservative party chooses a new leader, which is expected to happen by the autumn.

Now Mr Johnson has officially confirmed he will resign, the focus will shift on who should replace him.

Below are three MPs from Hampshire who could land the top job.

Rishi Sunak

Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who was born and bred in Southampton, has always been among the favourites.

During the pandemic, Mr Sunak was praised for introducing the furlough scheme - saving thousands of workers' jobs - and other measures such as the popular Eat Out to Help Out scheme to help the economy recover from months of lockdowns.

However, more recently, the MP for Richmond has been accused of not doing enough to offset the impact of the cost of living crisis - particularly the rising price of fuel.

He was also heavily criticised after it emerged his wife Akshata Murty, the daughter of an Indian billionaire, did not pay taxes on foreign earnings.

She has since given up her non-domicile status which had enabled her to do so lawfully.

Daily Echo: Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak

Suella Braverman

The MP for Fareham had called for Mr Johnson to go but did not resign from her role as Britain's Attorney General.

She has been in that role since Geoffrey Cox was sacked in February 2020.

Instead, Mrs Braverman revealed her intention to stand in a leadership contest. She already has the backing of fellow Tory MP, Desmond Swayne, who represents New Forest West.

Speaking on Peston on ITV, she said: "I love this country, my parents came here with absolutely nothing and it was Britain that gave them hope, security and opportunity.

"This country has afforded me incredible opportunities in education and in my career. I owe a debt of gratitude to this country and to serve as PM would be the greatest honour, so yes, I will try."

Daily Echo: Fareham MP Suella BravermanFareham MP Suella Braverman (Image: PA)

Penny Mordaunt

Penny Mordaunt has been representing Portsmouth North since 2010.

In 2019 she became the UK’s first female defence secretary before being fired by Mr Johnson shortly after he became Prime Minister.

Ms Mordaunt is a Royal Navy reservist, the current trade minister and a former reality TV contestant, having appeared on the Tom Daley-fronted diving show Splash.

She played a prominent role in the Leave campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum, and has previously reportedly enjoyed the backing of Dame Andrea Leadsom among others.

Daily Echo: Portsmouth North MP, Penny Mordaunt. Picture: PAPortsmouth North MP, Penny Mordaunt. Picture: PA

  • Who do you think should lead the country next? Email your views to newsdesk@dailyecho.co.uk

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