Johnson's opponent
Jeremy Hunt commended Johnson on his victory and praised his "optimism, energy and unbounded confidence [in Britain]."[2] In an interview following the announcement of the result, Hunt said that he believed that his support for
Remain during the
2016 Brexit referendum was the main reason for his defeat.[3]
Ministerial resignations
In anticipation of Johnson's election, a number of ministers announced that they would resign from office, due to his willingness to leave the EU without a deal. On 22 July,
Foreign MinisterAlan Duncan tendered his resignation;[4] prior to the leadership election result announced on the following day,
Education MinisterAnne Milton stood down from her post, citing "grave concerns" over the new Prime Minister's Brexit policies.[5]
Labour leaderJeremy Corbyn criticised Johnson's mandate and priorities for government. He restated his call for a new general election.[7]
Scottish National Party
Scottish National Party Commons leader
Ian Blackford warned of a "bleak Boris Johnson Brexit Britain." He urged the new Prime Minister to avoid building a "bunker-mentality government" and put the national interest first by ruling out leaving the EU without a deal.[8]
Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrat leaderJo Swinson declared Johnson "unfit" to serve as prime minister. Referring to his controversial treatment of
AmbassadorKim Darroch and the £350 million spending pledge during the
Brexit referendum campaign, Swinson stated: "Whether it is throwing people under the bus or writing a lie on the side of one: Britain deserves better than Boris Johnson."[9]
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon expressed her "profound concerns" at Johnson leading the country. She questioned his lack of principle and pledged to work with other parties to prevent Britain leaving the EU without a deal.[11]
Wales
First MinisterMark Drakeford urged Johnson to demonstrate his "seriousness" and "maturity" when he comes to address the issues facing the country. Drakeford also called for a
further referendum if Johnson is unable to pass a deal that commands the support of the
House of Commons.[12]
Overseas territories
Bermuda
PremierEdward David Burt commented that "with the election of Mr Johnson as the leader of his party and his eventual appointment as Prime Minister, I fully expect that this productive working relationship will continue."[13]
Cayman Islands
PremierAlden McLaughlin congratulated Johnson, stating that "I look forward to the Joint Ministerial Council Conference in London in November this year when we will have the opportunity to meet with members of Mr. Johnson's government to discuss matters of common interest between the UK and the Cayman Islands."[14]
Falkland Islands
In a statement on Twitter, the
Falkland Islands Government congratulated Johnson, commenting "We look forward to engaging with you on of issues of importance to #Falklands & when it comes to Brexit a good deal for the UK is also a good deal for #Falklands."[15]
Policy and Resources Committee president,
Gavin St Pier, congratulated Johnson, stating "I very much look forward to working closely with the new Prime Minister's government and look to build on the already strong relationship we have developed with his predecessors over recent decades."[17]
Jersey
Chief MinisterJohn Le Fondré congratulated Johnson, stating he was "confident #JerseyCI's strong relationship with the UK will continue under his leadership and that our interests will continue to be understood and represented."[18]
Isle of Man
Chief MinisterHoward Quayle stated "I look forward to continuing the strong working relationship between the governments of the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom so that our voice is heard."[19]
International
Americas
Brazil
PresidentJair Bolsonaro praised Johnson's elected "laudable commitment to respect the designs of the British people."[20]
Leader of the OppositionAndrew Scheer congratulated Johnson, stating "I am hopeful we'll be able to work together to increase trade and create opportunity for all people in both Canada and the UK."[22]
Ontarian PremierDoug Ford described Johnson as a "no-nonsense type of person" who would succeed in fixing the "nightmare" situation facing Britain.[23]
United States
PresidentDonald Trump tweeted his congratulations to Johnson, saying that [Johnson] "will be great" as prime minister.[24] During a speech later that day, he
nicknamed him, "Britain Trump."[25]
Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald Trump, mistakenly congratulated Johnson on "becoming the next Prime Minister of the United Kingston." The tweet was since deleted, but she received considerable media attention for the mistake.[26]
Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu said that he looked forward to "facing our common challenges and seizing the opportunities ahead."
PresidentReuven Rivlin congratulated Johnson, tweeting that "excellent bilateral
relations between our two countries will go from strength to strength."[28]
Foreign MinisterIsrael Katz greeted Johnson's victory with the tweet: "Mazal Tov to @BorisJohnson on becoming UK Prime Minister."[29]
Iran
Foreign MinisterMohammad Javad Zarif stated that he hoped that Johnson's election would result in an improved
relationship between the two nations. He stressed that although his country did not seek a confrontation with Britain, he warned that Iran will continue to "protect" its waters along the
Persian Gulf coastline.[30]
Japan
Prime MinisterShinzō Abe stated that he hoped to cooperate closely with Johnson. He also expressed his preference for Britain to withdraw from the EU with a deal, as it would minimise Brexit's negative impact on Japanese companies.[31]
Pakistan
Prime MinisterImran Khan tweeted Johnson his congratulations, stating "Congratulations Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson MP on your election as Conservative Party Leader & on assuming PM's Office. I am confident that under your leadership not only the UK & its people will prosper but our bilateral relations will also flourish. I look forward to working with you."[32]
Turkey
PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğan wished Johnson success in his new position. He also stated his belief that
relations between Turkey and Britain would improve under Johnson's premiership.[33]
Europe
France
PresidentEmmanuel Macron reacted to Johnson's election at a press conference in Paris. He stated that he looked forward to working with the new Prime Minister on
Brexit negotiations and other international issues.[34]
Germany
ChancellorAngela Merkel released a statement through her deputy spokesperson, saying that she looked forward to working with Johnson and hoped that the two countries would continue to develop their "
close friendship."[35]
TánaisteSimon Coveney promised that he would "work constructively with [Johnson] and his government to maintain and strengthen British-Irish relations through the challenges of Brexit."[37]
Foreign MinisterMarise Payne paid tribute to
Jeremy Hunt's unsuccessful campaign and said she looked forward to further developing the "dynamic and enduring partnership" between Australia and Britain.[40]
Former Prime Minister
Tony Abbott congratulated Johnson and said that Johnson had the courage and the passion to keep Britain great.[41][42]
New Zealand
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern congratulated Johnson via
text message, and said that regardless of the Brexit outcome New Zealand would be ready to begin free trade talks as soon as the United Kingdom was in a position to do so.[43]
Moody's and
Goldman Sachs both warned that the election of Boris Johnson would increase the likelihood of the exit of Britain from the European Union without a deal.[47] Dame
Carolyn Fairbairn, the Director-General of the
CBI reacted to the result by urging the new Prime Minister to secure a deal, to "unlock new investment and confidence in factories and boardrooms across the country."[48]
Johnson's opponent
Jeremy Hunt commended Johnson on his victory and praised his "optimism, energy and unbounded confidence [in Britain]."[2] In an interview following the announcement of the result, Hunt said that he believed that his support for
Remain during the
2016 Brexit referendum was the main reason for his defeat.[3]
Ministerial resignations
In anticipation of Johnson's election, a number of ministers announced that they would resign from office, due to his willingness to leave the EU without a deal. On 22 July,
Foreign MinisterAlan Duncan tendered his resignation;[4] prior to the leadership election result announced on the following day,
Education MinisterAnne Milton stood down from her post, citing "grave concerns" over the new Prime Minister's Brexit policies.[5]
Labour leaderJeremy Corbyn criticised Johnson's mandate and priorities for government. He restated his call for a new general election.[7]
Scottish National Party
Scottish National Party Commons leader
Ian Blackford warned of a "bleak Boris Johnson Brexit Britain." He urged the new Prime Minister to avoid building a "bunker-mentality government" and put the national interest first by ruling out leaving the EU without a deal.[8]
Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrat leaderJo Swinson declared Johnson "unfit" to serve as prime minister. Referring to his controversial treatment of
AmbassadorKim Darroch and the £350 million spending pledge during the
Brexit referendum campaign, Swinson stated: "Whether it is throwing people under the bus or writing a lie on the side of one: Britain deserves better than Boris Johnson."[9]
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon expressed her "profound concerns" at Johnson leading the country. She questioned his lack of principle and pledged to work with other parties to prevent Britain leaving the EU without a deal.[11]
Wales
First MinisterMark Drakeford urged Johnson to demonstrate his "seriousness" and "maturity" when he comes to address the issues facing the country. Drakeford also called for a
further referendum if Johnson is unable to pass a deal that commands the support of the
House of Commons.[12]
Overseas territories
Bermuda
PremierEdward David Burt commented that "with the election of Mr Johnson as the leader of his party and his eventual appointment as Prime Minister, I fully expect that this productive working relationship will continue."[13]
Cayman Islands
PremierAlden McLaughlin congratulated Johnson, stating that "I look forward to the Joint Ministerial Council Conference in London in November this year when we will have the opportunity to meet with members of Mr. Johnson's government to discuss matters of common interest between the UK and the Cayman Islands."[14]
Falkland Islands
In a statement on Twitter, the
Falkland Islands Government congratulated Johnson, commenting "We look forward to engaging with you on of issues of importance to #Falklands & when it comes to Brexit a good deal for the UK is also a good deal for #Falklands."[15]
Policy and Resources Committee president,
Gavin St Pier, congratulated Johnson, stating "I very much look forward to working closely with the new Prime Minister's government and look to build on the already strong relationship we have developed with his predecessors over recent decades."[17]
Jersey
Chief MinisterJohn Le Fondré congratulated Johnson, stating he was "confident #JerseyCI's strong relationship with the UK will continue under his leadership and that our interests will continue to be understood and represented."[18]
Isle of Man
Chief MinisterHoward Quayle stated "I look forward to continuing the strong working relationship between the governments of the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom so that our voice is heard."[19]
International
Americas
Brazil
PresidentJair Bolsonaro praised Johnson's elected "laudable commitment to respect the designs of the British people."[20]
Leader of the OppositionAndrew Scheer congratulated Johnson, stating "I am hopeful we'll be able to work together to increase trade and create opportunity for all people in both Canada and the UK."[22]
Ontarian PremierDoug Ford described Johnson as a "no-nonsense type of person" who would succeed in fixing the "nightmare" situation facing Britain.[23]
United States
PresidentDonald Trump tweeted his congratulations to Johnson, saying that [Johnson] "will be great" as prime minister.[24] During a speech later that day, he
nicknamed him, "Britain Trump."[25]
Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald Trump, mistakenly congratulated Johnson on "becoming the next Prime Minister of the United Kingston." The tweet was since deleted, but she received considerable media attention for the mistake.[26]
Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu said that he looked forward to "facing our common challenges and seizing the opportunities ahead."
PresidentReuven Rivlin congratulated Johnson, tweeting that "excellent bilateral
relations between our two countries will go from strength to strength."[28]
Foreign MinisterIsrael Katz greeted Johnson's victory with the tweet: "Mazal Tov to @BorisJohnson on becoming UK Prime Minister."[29]
Iran
Foreign MinisterMohammad Javad Zarif stated that he hoped that Johnson's election would result in an improved
relationship between the two nations. He stressed that although his country did not seek a confrontation with Britain, he warned that Iran will continue to "protect" its waters along the
Persian Gulf coastline.[30]
Japan
Prime MinisterShinzō Abe stated that he hoped to cooperate closely with Johnson. He also expressed his preference for Britain to withdraw from the EU with a deal, as it would minimise Brexit's negative impact on Japanese companies.[31]
Pakistan
Prime MinisterImran Khan tweeted Johnson his congratulations, stating "Congratulations Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson MP on your election as Conservative Party Leader & on assuming PM's Office. I am confident that under your leadership not only the UK & its people will prosper but our bilateral relations will also flourish. I look forward to working with you."[32]
Turkey
PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğan wished Johnson success in his new position. He also stated his belief that
relations between Turkey and Britain would improve under Johnson's premiership.[33]
Europe
France
PresidentEmmanuel Macron reacted to Johnson's election at a press conference in Paris. He stated that he looked forward to working with the new Prime Minister on
Brexit negotiations and other international issues.[34]
Germany
ChancellorAngela Merkel released a statement through her deputy spokesperson, saying that she looked forward to working with Johnson and hoped that the two countries would continue to develop their "
close friendship."[35]
TánaisteSimon Coveney promised that he would "work constructively with [Johnson] and his government to maintain and strengthen British-Irish relations through the challenges of Brexit."[37]
Foreign MinisterMarise Payne paid tribute to
Jeremy Hunt's unsuccessful campaign and said she looked forward to further developing the "dynamic and enduring partnership" between Australia and Britain.[40]
Former Prime Minister
Tony Abbott congratulated Johnson and said that Johnson had the courage and the passion to keep Britain great.[41][42]
New Zealand
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern congratulated Johnson via
text message, and said that regardless of the Brexit outcome New Zealand would be ready to begin free trade talks as soon as the United Kingdom was in a position to do so.[43]
Moody's and
Goldman Sachs both warned that the election of Boris Johnson would increase the likelihood of the exit of Britain from the European Union without a deal.[47] Dame
Carolyn Fairbairn, the Director-General of the
CBI reacted to the result by urging the new Prime Minister to secure a deal, to "unlock new investment and confidence in factories and boardrooms across the country."[48]