AFP / Ben STANSALL
Boris Johnson easily beat his rival in a Conservative leadership race
Boris Johnson won the race to become Britain’s next prime minister on Tuesday, heading straight into a confrontation over Brexit with Brussels and parliament, as well as a tense diplomatic stand-off with Iran.
The former London mayor easily beat his rival, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, in a vote of grassroots members of the governing Conservative Party.
He is expected to be confirmed as prime minister on Wednesday when Theresa May formally tenders her resignation to Queen Elizabeth II.
US President Donald Trump was the first world leader to offer his congratulations, saying: "He will be great!”
It is a triumph for a man who has always coveted the premiership. But Johnson, known for his jokes and bluster, is taking over at a time of immense political upheaval.
AFP / Jonathan WALTER
British prime ministers since 1979
Three years after the referendum vote to leave the European Union, Britain remains a member amid continued wrangling in a divided parliament on how to proceed.
– ‘We’ll get Brexit done’ –
Johnson led the referendum "Leave” campaign and — after May delayed Brexit twice — insists the latest deadline must be met, with or without a divorce agreement with the EU.
"We’re going to get Brexit done on October 31,” he declared in a speech to party members in London, after winning 66 percent of almost 140,000 votes cast.
However, Brussels says it will not renegotiate the deal it struck with May to ease the end of a 46-year partnership — even after British MPs rejected it three times.
EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Tuesday he wanted to work with Johnson "to facilitate the ratification of the withdrawal agreement and achieve an orderly Brexit”.
POOL/AFP/File / Darren Staples
Besides his domestic battles, Johnson will have to try to secure a resolution to the standoff with Iran
Ursula von der Leyen, who will take over as head of the European Commission on November 1, congratulated Johnson but warned of "challenging times ahead of us”.
Although parliament dislikes May’s deal, Johnson faces significant opposition from MPs to his threat to leaving with no deal, including from Conservative colleagues.
Several ministers said they will not serve under Johnson, warning that severing ties overnight with Britain’s closest trading partner is deeply irresponsible.
But Johnson insisted he could change the atmosphere in parliament, saying: "Like some slumbering giant we are going to rise and ping off the guy ropes of self-doubt and negativity.”
– ‘Brilliant or a disaster’ –
After addressing Conservative MPs privately following his victory, Johnson told reporters he was "impatient”.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said his speech "left everybody feeling good, and positive and cheerful.”
One Brexiteer MP added: "The clouds have lifted.”
However, Johnson’s premiership is vulnerable.
His government will command a majority of just two — 320 votes to 318 — in parliament’s lower House of Commons.
Colleagues who disagree with Johnson are willing to give him a chance to get a Brexit deal, at least over parliament’s impending six-week summer recess.
AFP / Niklas HALLE’N
Boris Johnson led the 2016 Brexit campaign
But if "no deal” looks likely in September, many MPs have vowed to stop him — a move that could trigger an early election.
The main opposition Labour party is not expected to force a confidence vote this week, but challenged him to call an election.
However, both Labour and the Conservatives are struggling to appeal to a public deeply divided over Britain’s future, facing a pincer movement from Nigel Farage’s eurosceptic Brexit Party and the pro-EU Liberal Democrats.
Business leaders called on Johnson to seek accord with Brussels, with Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the Confederation of British Industry lobby, saying he "must not underestimate the benefits of a good deal”.
The pound bounced briefly higher before falling lower again to $1.24 after Johnson’s victory was announced.
Outside parliament, where pro- and anti-Brexit protesters gather daily, reaction to Johnson’s victory was mixed.
"It’s the most we can hope for,” said eurosceptic Michelle Pearce, 64, adding: "He’ll be brilliant or a disaster.”
Ruth Fryer, 66, wearing a "bin Brexit” badge, added: "He’s a bit of a loose cannon and no one knows what he’ll do.”
– Gulf tensions –
Johnson’s domestic battles might initially have to take a backseat as he manages tensions with Iran.
The Islamic republic seized a UK-flagged tanker in the strategic Strait of Hormuz last Friday.
The stand-off comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States over the Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted his congratulations to Johnson, saying: "Iran does not seek confrontation.
"But we have 1,500 miles of Persian Gulf coastline. These are our waters and we will protect them.” (AFP)
