Boris Johnson resigns: What Essex MPs and councillors are saying

With Johnson finally caving to pressure amid dozens of ministers quitting their posts, here is all of the reaction from political figures in Essex.

READ MORE: Live updates as Boris Johnson stands down as Prime Minister

Clacton MP Giles Watling said: “It’s been an extraordinary, seismic time in Government affairs.

“We knew this was coming some time ago – it was merely a question of when.

“But knowing Boris’ extraordinary nature, I didn’t predict it would come so soon.

“However, now is the time to look to the future and we need to very quickly form a new Government under a new leader and bring a breath of clean, fresh air into British politics.”

Mr Watling voted against the Prime Minister in the confidence vote last month after stating his constituents did not have confidence in Mr Johnson's "honesty and integrity" and that he shouldn't have broken his own Covid-19 rules.

Darius Laws, leader of the Conservative Group on Colchester Council, said: “I am obviously very pleased to see Boris has recognised he needs to do the dignified thing for the sake of the country and for the sake of the Conservative party. I am pleased he’s come to that conclusion and that is the view of the Colchester Conservative councillors I have spoken to.

“I think I said live on BBC Essex yesterday, Boris was viewed by many as a cat-like character who has many lives.

“For me, throwing Will Quince (Colchester MP) – who was a loyal public servant – under the bus was a trigger point."

READ MORE: Colchester MP Will Quince's support for Boris Johnson ends

“For me, Boris isn’t a cat, he’s actually Paul Gascoigne in the World Cup Italia ’90, he’s got a second yellow card and he cannot go to the final.

“The Government’s direction of travel in terms of wider policy is actually okay.

"We are of course Conservatives by nature, we knock on doors and we listen to people and I think most people in Colchester are centrist.

"They want to have money in their pockets, freedom and choice, and access to good public services – the Conservatives can deliver that."

Mr Laws said events such as the war in Ukraine, the coronavirus pandemic and events in Afghanistan had “not been of the Conservatives’ making”.

“When you have to spend £100 to fill up your 1.2 litre car, something has to give,” he said.

“I think the kind of events of this week are a distraction from these issues.

“The Prime Minister being embroiled in this matter over who knew what about an alleged sexual predator is a distraction from what people want to see the Government getting on with.”

Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin told BBC Essex he had told Johnson his time was up yesterday. 

Bernard Jenkin

He said: "I actually went to see him at lunchtime yesterday and told him it was over and that was the first time I told him that. 

"He was remarkably calm, quite gentle, not angry, grateful and generous about my coming to tell him so honestly. 

"I did tell him only your friends will tell you the truth. 

"He was quite belligerent and defiant. I felt very sorry about having to tell him that. But it I just told him it's not all about you now it's about the country, the Government and it's about the Conservative party. 

He said he felt "very sad" to have to tell Johnson to go, but added: "It was time, it was actually overdue."

Martin Goss, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman for Colchester, said his party will have a "very good chance" at the next general election.

Martin Goss (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "Will Quince and the Conservatives will be toast at the next election without question.

"He put his career first over constituents and he knows it.  He has wrongly supported Boris throughout, despite being asked by constituents not to.

"Boris couldn’t go on - his stance of clinging onto power despite over 50 resignations was ludicrous. He’s clearly lost the plot.

"I’m pleased he’s going but the list of potential replacements is very weak. 

"The Lib Dems in Colchester have a very good chance of peeling away votes from the Conservatives as the most centralist party and if we have a well known hardworking local candidate as our parliamentary spokesperson that will only help. 

"Currently I fill that role but members will have to decide when the formal process commences who stands at the general election. 

"Labour still has many Corbyn skeletons in their Colchester cupboard and this will be their electoral downfall  in Colchester. 

"Only the Lib Dems are the true contenders in Colchester having held the seat for 18 years." 

Home Secretary and Witham MP Priti Patel said it is her “duty” to continue in the role.

She said in a statement: “The position of Home Secretary demands the holder of the office to be entirely focused on the business of government and our national security.

“At this critical time my duty is to continue to lead this Great Office of State, to protect our national security, and keep the citizens of our country safe.

“I will continue to work closely with colleagues across Government and our partners and agencies to ensure these important responsibilities are upheld.”

Adam Fox, Colchester Labour's group leader, said: “It’s finally clear that Boris Johnson no longer has the confidence of MPs or the country. But it’s taken far too long to get to this point. 

"The Conservatives are distracted by sleaze, corruption and scandal while the rest of us get on with our lives, trying to make ends meet and deal with rising prices for food and fuel.”

“Will Quince may have resigned as a Minister but he will be forever tainted for standing alongside Boris Johnson for months after the revelation of parties in Downing Street during lockdown. 

"He may no longer be a Minister and come the next general election the people of Colchester will decide he is no longer fit to represent them either.”