In the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party, and thereafter the next British prime minister, there is a Rishi, Suella and Kemi — running against a Tom, Penny and Liz — to replace a Boris.

“Scandal-ridden Boris Johnson announced on Thursday he would quit as British prime minister after he dramatically lost the support of his ministers and most Conservative lawmakers, but said he would stay on until his successor was chosen.” (Reuters)

The right criticizes Johnson for failing to implement conservative policies.

The left blames Brexit, Johnson’s signature policy, for Britain’s economic woes.

The good news is that the worst prime minister in modern British history is going. The bad news is that he has not yet gone. Boris Johnson fought to the end to remain in Downing Street as his reputation and his government collapsed around him. On Thursday, as more ministers resigned, including one who had been in office less than 48 hours, he bowed to the inevitable, resigning as Conservative leader while remaining prime minister until a successor is chosen.

Boris Johnson has defied the normal rules of politics for so long, it is hard to believe he is actually going.

Scandals that would have sunk other politicians appeared to have no effect on him. He was always able to bounce back. His gaffes and blunders became part of his brand.

Anyone who thinks America is badly governed right now can comfort themselves that at least we aren’t Britain. Because for all the insanity of Washington, nothing can beat the utter breakdown of politics in Westminster.

President Biden gave departing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson the cold shoulder in an initial statement reacting to Johnson resigning his position Thursday — failing to even mention the outgoing leader’s name. 

“The United Kingdom and the United States are the closest of friends and Allies, and the special relationship between our people remains strong and enduring,” Biden said in the statement, obtained by CBS News. 

On the menu today: United Kingdom prime minister Boris Johnson announced this morning that, after a tumultuous and often-controversial three years in office, he would resign as soon as his Conservative Party picked a new leader. Quite a few conservatives look at Johnson and see a cautionary tale; his undisciplined character overwhelmed his intellect — although there’s also the parallel state of frustration and exhaustion in American and British politics.

LONDON — Scandal-ridden British Prime Minister Boris Johnson capitulated to mounting pressure to step down Thursday, announcing his decision after days of high-profile government resignations and calls from fellow Conservative Party members to quit.

He was the mayor who basked in the glory of hosting the 2012 London Olympics, and the man who led the Conservatives to a thumping election victory on the back of his promise to “get Brexit done.”

But Boris Johnson’s time as prime minister was marred by his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and a steady stream of ethics allegations, from alcohol-fueled government parties that broke lockdown rules to how he handled a sexual misconduct scandal involving a senior party lawmaker.

Here is a timeline of events relating to Johnson’s political career:

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation Thursday, marking the end of his time at the top of UK politics.

After resisting calls to step down for nearly two days, Johnson admitted to the world’s media gathered outside No. 10 Downing Street in London that “it is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader and a new prime minister.”