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Former Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has been chosen to succeed Theresa May as Britain’s next prime minister. Johnson was elected as the leader of the United Kingdom's Conservative Party, on Tuesday, defeating Jeremy Hunt in the contest.

Johnson defeated Hunt by 92,153 votes to 46,656 in the leadership contest, winning 66% of the vote. According to the UK Guardian, the voter turnout of party members was 87.4%. The former Foreign Secretary in May's cabinet will take over as UK's prime minister on Wednesday, following a confirmation of his appointment by Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace.

May became the prime minister of Britain on July 13, 2016, following the resignation of David Cameron, who resigned after the UK voted to leave the European Union. She stepped down after almost three years in office on June 7, and after failing to deliver Brexit. But she remained as PM in a caretaker role.

Initially scheduled to depart the EU on 29 March, 2019, the deadline for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU is now 31 October, 2019. The prime minister-designate has pledged to negotiate changes to the withdrawal agreement or leave the EU “deal or no deal” by 31 October.
 
Speaking after his victory was announced, Johnson restated his campaign mantra, “Deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat Jeremy Corbyn.” He also said his party must show its “historic ability to balance competing instincts – marrying the desire to maintain a close relationship with the EU, with the desire for democratic self-government in this country.”