Rotherham MPs react after Prime Minister Boris Johnson quits

Mr Johnson (pictured) will stay on until the autumn while the Conservative Party picks a new leader.

The announcement follows more than 50 members of the Government resigning since the start of the week.

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion spoke of her “relief that Boris Johnson has finally seen the writing on the wall”.

She added: “The Government has been in paralysis for the last six months while Johnson clung to power for power’s sake, at the very moment the country needed strong and selfless leadership.

“And throughout it all, until this week, he has been propped up by Tory MPs who put their careers ahead of the country’s needs.

“Britain faces the most severe crises.

“The rising cost of living is pushing people in Rotherham to the brink, while war rages in Ukraine.

“Brexit has still not been effectively delivered and our public services are at breaking point.

“Changing the man at the top will do nothing to change any of that.

“After more than a decade of chaos, what we need is a change not just of Prime Minister, but of government.”

Wentworth & Dearne MP John Healey said the news was long overdue, adding: “I’m pleased that Boris Johnson has finally resigned after taking the country through the chaos of the last few months.

“This is something that should have happened long ago.

“Britain needs more than just a change to the Tory at the top — we need a fresh start and a change of government.”

Rother Valley MP Alexander Stafford remained loyal to the end, listing the outgoing PM’s achievements as “unblocking the Brexit impasse so that we could finally leave the European Union and reclaim our independence; a world-class vaccine programme under which we were the first country to get jabs into people’s arms and so end the pandemic; unprecedented COVID-19 financial support to protect people’s lives and livelihoods; and being the first country to give lethal aid to Ukraine to help them stand up against the barbaric invasion of their country”.

He added: “Now we are looking for a new leader for the party and the country, who must focus on stopping the small boats in the Channel, dealing with the cost of living, and making Rother Valley a better place to live, work, and play.

“In light of Putin’s aggression and the first land war in Europe since 1945, I shall remain in post as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministry of Defence as long as required to continue the important task.

“My priority will always be Rother Valley and my constituents and as we move into the next stage of choosing the new leader of the Conservative party and our country I would like to hear your view on who this should be.”