Former Prime Minister Sir John Major has written to the chairman of the Conservative’s backbench 1922 committee warning it is “unwise” for Boris Johnson to remain in office while his successor is chosen.
If Johnson stays at No 10 Major says he will still have the power to “make decisions which will affect the lives of those within all four nations” of the UK and further afield.
While some argue that Johnson’s cabinet will “restrain” him, Major adds, that the PM’s previous cabinet “did not – or could not – do so”.
Major suggests an interim PM, like Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, or a streamlined election process would be “in the national interest”.
“For the overall wellbeing of the country, Mr Johnson should not remain in Downing Street… for any longer than necessary to effect the smooth transition of government,” Major writes.