Boris Johnson raises eyebrows with talk of leaving office sooner

Bloomberg

Outgoing UK prime minister Boris Johnson raised the prospect of leaving office sooner than expected, suggesting his successor could be chosen “by acclamation” rather than in an eight-week contest as planned.
His appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday had the air of a valedictory outing, as he declared he was “proud” of his leadership and said he would leave with his “head held high.”
Under Conservative Party rules, his successor is not due to be announced until Sept. 5 following a ballot of grassroots members. Based on that timetable, Johnson is expected to have one more session with opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer in the House of Commons next week.
But he raised eyebrows by telling Starmer: “The next leader of my party may be elected by acclamation, so it’s possible this will be our last confrontation.”
Johnson’s press secretary later told reporters Johnson is still planning to appear next week.