Boris Johnson will become the United Kingdom’s prime minister tomorrow.
The former mayor of London – who also worked as a journalist – is succeeding Theresa May after she was forced out by Conservative Party MPs over her failure to deliver Brexit.
Johnson, a Conservative Party MP, won a leadership contest held by Tories after netting 92,153 votes to his rival’s 46,656.
He will now inherit the seats – enough to form a confidence and supply government with British nationalists from Northern Ireland – won by May in the 2017 general election.
Though he does not need to call an election until 2022, Johnson is already being criticized by Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn for lacking a personal mandate.
The flamboyant Johnson strongly backed Brexit during the 2016 referendum and is seen by many as the best bet for getting Britain out of the European Union.
Congratulations to Boris Johnson on becoming the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will be great!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2019
Speaking in London after his victory was announced, he said he was going to “energize the country”.
"We are going to get Brexit done on the 31st October and take advantage of all the opportunities it will bring with a new spirit of can-do,” he added.
"We are once again going to believe in ourselves, and like some slumbering giant we are going to rise and ping off the guy ropes of self doubt and negativity."
Congratulations, @BorisJohnson - I look forward to working with you to keep the close friendship between Canada & the UK strong and to increase trade and create more jobs for people in both our countries.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 23, 2019
Johnson was born in New York City to a wealthy family and was educated at Eton College, the most prestigious elite school in England.
He went on to study classics at Oxford University.
Johnson then worked briefly for The Times newspaper before being fired for fabricating a quote.
But he was soon snapped up by the The Daily Telegraph and enjoyed a successful career that ultimately propelled him into Parliament.
