people have worked hard and paid into social security and should have those ones available in their retirement stop our income tax, all of our taxes are too high, so i support reducing taxes where we can, especially taxes on working families that are struggling to make ends meet and it their kids into school and put food on the table and find someone to watch them while they are working. there are things we can do to return more money and freedom to working families but what we can ever do is allow our nation to become a socialist nation. thank you all. god bless you. god bless the united states. i appreciate you coming out tonight. [applause]

ournalists on the ground. >> british prime minister boris johnson announced his resignation after a series of resignations from members of his own party. he served as prime minister for three years leading the country through brexit and the coronavirus pandemic. he made these remarks from downing street. collects a afternoon everybody. that afternoon >> i have appointed a cabinet to serve.

i want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019, many of them voted conservative for the first time. thank you for that incredible mandate, the biggest conservative majority since 1987. the biggest share of the vote since 1979. and the reason i have fought so hard in the last few days to continue was not just because i wanted to do so, i believed it was my job, my duty, my obligation to you to do what we promised in 2019. of course, i am immensely proud of this government for settling our relationship with the continent for a half-century and reclaiming the power of this country.

getting us through the pandemic, and delivering the fastest exit from lockdowns, and in the last few days, leading the way standing up to putin's aggression in ukraine. i know that we the people in ukraine will continue to back your fight for freedom as long as it takes. for the first time, in this country, we are pushed toward the infrastructure and skills -- if i have one insight into human beings it's the capacity and creativity and intelligence of human beings are evenly distributed among the citizenship, but opportunity is not. we need to uplift people in this

country, and if we are able to we will be the most proper -- prosperous in europe. it would be insane to change governments when we are delivering so much, and we are a handful of points hind in the polls. even -- behind in the polls. even in these last few months that have been difficult domestically and internationally. it is painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself. as we have seen in westminster, when of public opinion moves, it moves. and in politics, no one is remotely indispensable. i believe you will find another

leader who is equally committed to getting this country through tough times. they will cut business on bert -- cut burden on business and families, by yes, cutting taxes again. for that new leader, i say, wherever he or she may be, i will give you the podium where i stand. and to you, the british public, i know that there will be many people who are relieved, in fact quite a few of you will be disappointed. i want you to know how sad i am to give up the best job in the world. but them's the breaks. i'd like to thank carrie, our children, and everyone in my family who has put up with so much for so long. i want to thank the british royal service for the support

you have given our emergency fleet services and our fantastic nhs who carried me through my own critical moment in office. and i want to thank the conservative party members and supporters who make our democracy possible. i want to think the wonderful staff here, they are fantastic top force detectives. they are the one group that will never leave. above all, i want to thank you, the british public for the immense privilege that you have given me. and i want you to know, from now on, until the new prime minister is in place, your interests will be served and the government of

the country will be carried on. being prime minister is an education in itself. i have traveled to every part of the united kingdom, and in addition to the beauty of our natural world, i have found so many people possess boundless originality and are so willing to tackle old problems in new waves -- in new ways. even though things may seem dark now, our future as ever is golden. thank you, so much. >> oris johnson was the second british prime minister to resign from office in 43 years. margaret thatcher took over in 1979. she -- her leadership was challenged causing her to step

down. >> i had a very successful visit to northern island the 15th of november. we have no plans to visit the constituency in the immediate future. [laughter] >> you'll understand, that the union's members have access today to the prime minister. >> she would have discovered amongst the majority of my constituents, simply for her views on europe, for having suffered from centralized bureaucracy. we do not wish to have bureaucracy.

>> i believe it is one to which it will appear to most and this country. [indiscernible] >> this morning i chaired a meeting of the cabinet a quarter to one i had an audience with the majesty her queen. later this afternoon i shall lead to the government against the motion put down in the lead of the -- opposition. [indiscernible] >> order. >> those who share objectives, whatever the roles may be in recent weeks, [indiscernible]

>> order. >> from the great protection. happiness i -- and celebration of what has been, is, and will remain the greatest peace time, political rain. -- reign. [indiscernible] >> mr. speaker, the same person in a slightly different capacity will be able to serve written in whatever way. -- britain in whatever way. >> mr. speaker made pay tribute

to the prime minister enter decision this morning. she should buy that she amounts to more than those who attend on recent days. mr. speaker the honorable lady, i know considers the principle of choice to be extremely important and that is rightly so. the people of britain should now be given the power of choice in a general election. >> mr. speaker. may think the right honorable gentlemen for his early -- earlier questions, the answer is no. no more than when we had an election when mr. wilson changed mr. callan. >> mr. churchill is my writer -- is my right honorable friend aware that she deserves the gratitude of the entire nation? for her part in bringing to an

end the soviets part in the arms race and bearing once and for all, the cold war, between the superpowers. it is in that capacity but she will be remembered as the greatest peace time per minister, this country has ever had -- prime minister this country has ever had. >> i'm grateful to my friends, for his remarks. it was a great privilege to attend the conference in paris and assigned some of the agreements, as for the new csc who ushers in a new order in europe and i hope a very successful and peaceful one. >> may say to the prime minister that many of us recognize that she had to make a tough decision this morning. we believe she took the right one and took it with great dignity. >> may also say to her that no matter how wide our political

division, no one can doubt the special style shows brought nor her courage conviction and determination. mr. speaker perhaps a my asked to use this opportunity to offer the house and a use you may have for a successor -- any use you may have for successor. >> i think the honorable gentlemen -- think the. honorable gentlemen for his kindness. may reminder the house to expect to be here on tuesday afternoon and possibly even thursday afternoon. [laughter] so i hope the house will be as kind then as it is today. >> mr. speaker, i raise this matter, the government has played a central role in supporting the commission proposal, in enabling the community to table its offer, as

the talks in geneva. >> jobs throughout europe can be seriously affected by international trade war unless she produces a meaningful reform of the absurdly and costly pa p. the average cost per household of the cap is now 20 pence per week more than the total net cost per household. i would, if i may, except the measures -- accept the measures for the fantastic job she has done for the commonwealth, for freedom and democracy. >> mr. speaker i very much agree with my honorable friend jobs and prosperity depend upon getting for trade and we played up part in that at the last european council and in getting

proposals. i will of course respond to my honorable friends invitation of reminding my colleagues who stand for election. let me say this to him, i shall remind to him -- remind him whether they're standing for election or not. [laughter] >> with the prime minister agree with me? that it is essential with regards to decision, but our farmers, they need the protection that they deserve. which she also agree with me, give me assurance but she's given me in the past, that there is an awful, yet serious warning in that decision and those decisions for our fishermen. these have been the changes that the spanish and others would like to inflict upon the common fishermen? issue here to defend the fishermen -- issue here to

defend the fishermen what she urge her successor for the defense. >> mr. speaker, i think for once i can agree with the honorable gentlemen. i -- farmers are absolutely vital. we have therefore tried to increase the grass available to them. because we recognize the importance not only to farming, but to the rural areas. with regard to the fishery question. it has been one of the difficult community. we got a pretty good deal for our fishermen. we shall continue to do so. there is this vital question of the fishing boats pending. many people will be happy, when that is resolved. preferably to our own advantage. [indiscernible]

>> he have looked over these years with the greatest admiration and design? >> i am grateful to achieve that my honorable friend. we were in college together and have been together ever since. the honorable gentlemen's reply, asked the question. >> mr. speaker may be permitted to think the prime minister for many personal kindnesses which she has given over many years on both sides of the house? may i say how deeply concerned my constituents are, that she has left the place in such shambles? issue where -- is she aware that they are desperately aware of the deepening recession, about -- about educational --

[indiscernible] the prime minister indicates who she thinks should take a share in the blame for what is after all, a conservative mass. >> here, here. >> the honorable gentlemen was a was a good advocate. can speak to any brief. i don't believe he believed the word of that. [laughter] >> does my friend not agree that the age of chivalry is gone? though she further not look with

pride and satisfaction of those years, which is needed in this country? >> i think, mr. speaker, the age of chivalry will not have gone so long as my honorable friend is remembered -- as a member of this house. yes, in response to the question, i look back with some pride and some satisfaction about achievements for our country over the last 11 and half years. i gave the honorable gentlemen a reply moments ago. >> i give the prime minister the gratitude of my constituents last friday and admiration for her courage that she visited the frontier. two of our soldiers were killed a short time ago. how is she -- issue convinced -- is she convinced for the welfare

of the community and the bullishness that it would be to remove them and thus surrender more territory? >> i am grateful to the honorable gentlemen. the checkpoints are very important to the confidence of the people who live in the area. that one was an example of the dangers to the army on the honorable gentlemen knows where taking every possible precaution to learn the lessons from that attack and i can only say that i went round the border areas where i can once again be very impressed by the bravery of our soldiers and policemen who work in those areas. >> is my right honorable friends considers, the advice of a former great prime minister

could be extremely influential on issues of state, such as our future role in europe? our many friends in the house and country, will she continued to champion -- [indiscernible] >> order! order! >> my question mr. speaker is directed to a great former prime minister. [indiscernible]

will she was sure her many friends to the country that she will continue to camp ship -- champion the causes she had fought so for valiantly. and show willie -- and will she raise her voice -- [indiscernible] >> my honorable friend, it had occurred to me, i believe we now have a policy for the future of europe behind which we can all unite and i believe that many, many people in other countries in europe, believe in the nations and corporations between those nations. >> after stepping down as prime minister in 1990, margaret thatcher chose conservative leader john major to replace her and continue conservative party rule for seven more years. then in 1997, the labour party and tony blair defeated the tories, winning up 179 seat majority.

after the election results, john major announced he would resign. >> good morning. i have said most of what i wanted to say had the opportunity of speaking last evening. there one of two things that would be appropriate to add this morning. it has been, an immense privilege to serve as prime minister of the united kingdom, over the last six and a half years. the privilege that comes to very few people and it is a precious privilege indeed. i hope, as i lay downing street this morning -- leave downing street this morning, that i can say with some accuracy the country is in far better shape than it was when i entered downing street. the economy is booming. interest rate are low, inflation is low, unemployment is falling. the health services expanding, the education services improving. and the crime statistics are falling. all of those, i think, are

benevolent improvements in the interests of all the people of this country. i believe that the incoming government, to whom i repeat my warm congratulations upon their success, the incoming government will inherit the most benevolent status, economic statistics, of any incoming government since before the first world war. i hope very much, and the interest of the whole british nation, that they are successful in obtaining the economy in the future. if i may, i would like to clear up one area of speculation, that i know has been brought up over the last few days. i have been, a member of parliament for 18 years. i have been a member of the government for 14 years. a member of the cabinet, for 10 years, and prime minister since 9090 -- 1990. when the curtain falls it is time to get off the stage. that is what i propose to do.

i shall, therefore, advise my parliamentary colleagues, that i believe it would be appropriate for them to consider the selection of a new leader of the conservative party, to lead the party through opposition during the years that lie ahead. this will take a little while to organize, parliament must meet and the members must make their own consideration of this matter. actually, i shall remain -- naturally actual main, service to the party during what will be a reasonably interregnum. i would like to add one final thought. during the six and half years that i have been in downing street, there have been a numeral personal kindnesses from huge numbers of people, many of whom i have never met and never heard from except by way of their individual kindness. i would like to take this

opportunity of extending my thanks to them and the millions of people in the british nation who have given me the kindnesses to which i refer. i hope, if you will forgive me, i will say no more this morning. i believe, i have an appointment with her majesty the queen in a few moments to tend to my resignation so the new government may then be formally appointed. i propose to see her majesty in just a few moments. i will say no more, after that, i hope that we will be able to get there in time for lunch and cricket this afternoon. thank you very much. >> tony blair served a decade as prime minister from 1997 to 2007. prime minister blair sobran through the death of princess diana and led the uk's response

to the september 11 attacks on the world trade center. he faced criticism for his handling on his widely erected, which he addressed -- iraq, which you dressed in his resignation speech. >> thank you very much. it is a great privilege to be here with you again and to thank all of you to for such a wonderful and warm welcome, especially maureen and her friends you gave me such a wonderful welcome. when i have come in, four more years i was thinking that is not on message per se. [laughter] i would just like to say if i might, just a special word of thanks to john burton john has been here for many years now, he is still the best political

advisor that i have got. since i've known him he has been steadfast in his loyalty to me, and the labour party and the football club, not necessarily in that order. we will not get into that. [laughter] it has been my great good fortune, at certain points in my life to meet exceptional people and he is one very exceptional person. also, if i may, refer to another exceptional person who is my wife, friend and partner, sharee. [applause] and the children of course, who

make me never forget my failure, but give me great love and support. so, i have gone back here to my constituency, where my political journey began and where it is fitting that it should end. today i announced my decision to stand down from the leadership of the labour party. the party will now select a new leader, on the 27th of june, i will given my resignation to the queen. i've been prime minister of this country for just over 10 years. in this job, in the world of today, that is long enough for me, but more especially for the country. sometimes, the only way you conquer the pull of power is to set it down. it is difficult to know how to make this speech.

there is judgment to be made on my premiership. at the end it that is for you the people to make. i can only describe what i think is being done over the last 10 years, and wife had to do it. -- why i try to do it. i never put it in this way before. i was born almost a decade after the second world war. i was a young man in social resolution -- revolution of the 60's and the 70's. i reached political maturity, as the cold war was ending. in the world is going through a political and economic and technological revolution. i looked at my own country, a great country, wonderful history, magnificent traditions, proud of its past. but strangely, uncertain of its

future. uncertain about the future, almost, old-fashioned. all of that was curiously symbolized in the politics of the time. you have choices, you stood for individual aspirations and getting on in life or social compassion and helping others. you are liberal in your values or conservative. he believed in the power of the state or the efforts of the individual. spending more money on the public realm was the answer or it was the problem. and none of it made sense to me. it was 20th century ideology in a world approaching a new millennium. of course, people want the best for themselves and their families. but in an age where human

capital is the greatest asset, they also know it is just on sensible to extend opportunities, to develop the potential to succeed for all our people, not just an elite at the top. people today are open-minded about race and sexuality. there were -- averse to prejudice, yet rightly, conservative when it comes to good manners, respect for others, treating people courteously. they acknowledge the need for the state and the responsibility of the individual. and they know spending money on our public services matter and they know it is not enough. how they are run and organize matters too. 1997 was a moment for a new beginning. the sweeping away of all of the past. and expectations were so high.

too high probably in a way for either of us. now, in 2007 you can point to the challenges or things that are wrong, or the grievances that fester, but back to 1997. think back. really, think back. think about your own living standards then in may 19 97 and now. busier local school. any of them around here, or anywhere in modern britain. you heard of pensioners freezing to death in the winter unable to heat their homes. there is only one government, since 1945 that can say all of the following. more jobs, fewer unemployed,

better health and education results, lower crime and economic growth in every quarter. only one government, this one. [applause] we don't need statistics, something bigger that can be measured -- something bigger than something that can be measured in lists. look at the economy, london the worlds of largest financial center. visit our great city in this country, compare them with 10 years ago. no country attracts overseas investments like we do. think about the culture in the

year 2007. i don't just mean -- i mean our values, the minimum wage, paid while you is a right. we have the best maternity leave in europe. equality for gay people. look at the debates that reverberate around the world today, the global movement to support africa and its struggle against poverty. climate change. the fight against terrorism. britain is not a follower today. britain is a leader. [applause] it gets the essential characteristic of today's world into dependence -- independence.

from the myriad of unresolved problems and fresh challenges, is a country comfortable in 21st century -- in the 21st century, able to not just be part of its past it also confident of its future. i don't think northern ireland would have been changed unless britain had changed. or the olympics one if we were still the britain of 1997. >> here, here. >> as for my own leadership, throughout these 10 years, whether protectable has competed with the unpredicted, one thing was clear to me, without the labour party allowing me to lead, nothing could have ever been done. but i also knew my duty was to put the country first. that much was obvious to me. when just under 13 years ago, i

became labors leader. what i had to learn, as prime minister, was not putting the -- what putting the country first met. decision-making is hard. everyone always says in politics, listen to the people. the trouble is, you find it, they don't always agree. [laughter] when you are in opposition, you me to this group and say, why can't you do this and you say it is a great question, thank you and they go away and say great, he really listened. then you meet the other group and say, why can't you do that, then you say, that's a really good question, thank you. and they go, happy that you listened. in government, you have to give the answer. not an answer, the answer. in time, you realize that

putting the country first doesn't mean doing the right thing, according to conventional wisdom or the prevailing consensus or the latest snapshot of opinion. it means doing what you genuinely believe to be right. that your duty as prime minister is to act according to your conviction. all of that can get contorted, people think you act according to something messy. doubt, hesitation, reflection, consideration, reconsideration, these are the good companions of proper decision-making. but the ultimate goal is to decide. sometimes, the decisions are. accepted quickly. .

bank of england, independence was one which gave us our economic stability. sometimes, trying to break up old monolithic public services, the changes are controversial, hard to do. you can see that you're moving with a grain of change around the world. sometimes, like with europe, where i believe britain should keep his position strong. you know you are fighting opinions, but you are content doing so. you are alone with your own instinct. to stop ethnic cleansing in kosovo, i took the decision to make our country one that intervened and that did not pass

it by and then taking the unanticipated and dramatic september 11, 2001 and the deaths of 3000 or more on the streets of new york, i decided we should stand shoulder to shoulder with our oldest ally. and so in afghanistan and iraq. and removing saddam and his sons from power, as removing the taliban, was over with relative ease. but the blowback since from global terrorism and elements that support it has been unrelenting and costly. but for many, it simply isn't and can't be worth it. i think we must see it through,

facing terrorist threats here and around the world. we will never give up. it is a test of will and of beliefs, and we can't fail it. so, some things, i knew i would be dealing with. some come i thought i might be. some never occurred to me or to you on that morning of may 2, 1990 seven, when i came into downing street for the first time -- 1997, when i came into downing street for the first time. great expectations. people say the expectations were too high, you should have lowered them. but i would not have wanted it any other way. i was and remain as a person and a prime minister an optimist.

politics may be the art of the possible, but at least in life, the impossible a go. [applause] so, divisions are painted in the colors of the rainbow and the reality is stitched in the dell tones of black and white and gray -- dull tones of black and white and gray. but i ask you to accept one thing. hand on heart, i did what i thought was right. [applause]

i may have been wrong. but believe one thing, if nothing else. i did what i thought was right for our country. i came into office with high hopes for britton's future and you know, i leave with even higher hopes for britton's future. this is a country that can today be excited b -- my opportunities, not fretful of the dangers. people say to me, it is a tough job. not really. a tough life is a life led by young, severely disabled or within their parents who visited me in parliament. tough is the life my dad had come his career at short at age 40 by a stroke.

actually, i have been very lucky and very blessed. and this country is a blessed nation. the british are special. the world knows it. in our innermost thoughts, we know this is the greatest nation on earth. [applause] so, it has been an honor to serve it. i give my thanks to you, the british people, for the times i have succeeded, and my apologies to you for the times i have fallen short. and good luck. [applause]

[captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2022] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> in 2010 after the conservative party had a sweeping victory in the general election, gordon brown, britton's last labor leader, resigned. prime minister brown's resignation brought an end to 13 years of rule by the centerleft party. here is a speech he delivered to supporters. >> i can tell you there is no greater privilege but to represent the people you have grown up with, people that you know and spect, to represent people who know you, perhaps know too much about you sometimes, and to represent friends you made over 30 years along the way in youth clubs, pensioner groups, cottages and schools and community councils and businesses and trade unions, and sports clubs, which taught

me my first lessons. i was allowed to get in free to watch my favorite team. i will never forget the kindness you showed us on the strength that you gave us 13 years ago this year, at christmas time, our first child, jennifer, was born in the hospital and died only 10 days later. and you set up the jennifer research fund and the contributions that you made to the jennifer fund, to the hospital and laboratory where she died, this is lifesaving research so that in the future, infants like jennifer will live. i am very grateful to everything

you have done to help me and my family over the years. some of you may know that it was my intention to announce what i was going to do about my future immediately after the scottish referendum. but there was still unfinished business and i wanted to fight to ensure that the changes that we have promised and the new and stronger scottish parliament that we said we would deliver. i wanted to be absolutely certain that these changes would happen and the new parliament would be in place before i made my decision to stand down as a member of parliament. but even after a week speculation, and is strange to read your obituary, that you have retired. history will have its say, but

it is a strange experience to read that you have retired. but i have no doubt it is the right thing to do. [inaudible] >> after u.k. voters in 2016 decided to separate from the european union, prime minister david cameron, a conservative, stepped down after campaigning to keep britton in the you. he served in the position from 2010-2016. >> good morning, everyone. the country is just taken part in a giant democratic exercise, perhaps the biggest in our history. over 33 million people from england, scotland, wales, northern ireland and gibraltar avenue had their say.

we should be proud of the fact that in these islands, we trust the people with big decisions. we not only have a parliamentary democracy, but on questions about the arrangements of our government, there are times when it is right to ask the people themselves. that is what we have done. the british people have voted to leave the european union. there will must be respected -- their will must be respected. i want to thank everyone who took part in the campaign on my side, including all those who put aside party differences to speak and what they believed was the national interest. let me congratulate all those who took part in the leave campaign and the spirited ad passionate case they made. the will of the british people is an instruction that must be delivered. it is not a decision that was taken lightly, at least because so many things were said by many

different organizations about the significance of this decision. so, there can be no doubt about the result. across the world, people have been watching the choice britton has made. i would reassure those markets and investors that britton's economy is fundamentally strong and i would reassure britt's living -- brits living in european countries that european citizens living here that there will be no initial changes in your circumstances. there will be no initial change in the way our people can travel, our goods can move or in the way our services can be so. we must not prepare for negotiation with the european union. this will need the full engagement of the scottish, welsh and northern ireland governments to ensure the interests of all parts of our united kingdom are protected. above all, this will require

strong, determined and committed leadership. i am very proud and honored to have been prime minister of this country for six years. i believe we have made rate steps. we have more people working than ever before in our history, reforms to welfare and education, increasing people's life chances, building a stronger society, keeping our promises to the poorest people in the world and enabling those who love each other to get married whatever their sexuality. above all, restoring britton's -- restoring britton's economic strength --restoring british economic strength. we have to confront big decisions. that is why we delivered the first coalition government in 70 years to bring our economy back from the brink. it is why we delivered a fair, legal and decisive referendum in scotland and it is why i made

the pledge to renegotiate britton's position in the european union and hold a referendum on membership -- britton -- great britain's membership in the european union and hold a referendum on membership. i thought this campaign the only way i know how, to say directly and passionately what i think and feel. i held nothing back. i was clear about my belief that britain is stronger, safer and better off in the european union and made clear the referendum was about this and this alone, not the future of any politician, including myself. but the bridges people have made a very clear decision to take a different path. as such, the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction. i will do everything i can as prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but i do not think it

would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination. this is not a decision i have taken lightly, but i believe it is in the national interest, that appearance of stability and the new leadership required. there is no need for a timetable today, but we should aim to have a new prime minister in place by the start of the conservative party conference in october. delivering stability will be important and i will continue in post as prime minister with my cabinet for the next months. the cabinet will meet on monday. the governor of the bank of england is making a statement about steps the bank and treasury are taking to reassure financial markets. we will continue taking forward important legislation we set before parliament in the queen's beach. i have spoken to her majesty this morning to advise her of steps i am taking.

a negotiation with the european union will need to begin andre new prime minister and it is right that this prime minister takes the decision about when the trigger article 50 and start the formal and legal process of leaving the eu. i will attend the european council next week to explain the decision the british people have taken, my own decision. the british people have made a choice. that not only needs to be respected, but those on the losing side of the argument, myself and loaded, should help to make it work. britain is a special country with many great advantages, a parliamentary democracy where he resolved issues through peaceful debate. a great trading nation, our engineering and creativity expected the world over. and while we are not perfect, we can be a model of a multiracial,

multi-faith democracy where people can make a contribution and rise to the highest as their talent allows. although leaving europe is not the path i recommended, i am the first to praise our incredible strengths. britton can survive outside the european union and indeed, we can find a way. now that the decision has been made to leave, we need to find the best way. i will do everything i can to help. i love this country and feel honored to have served it. and i will do everything i can to help this great country succeed. thank you very much. >> theresa may, who preceded boris johnson as prime minister, resigned in may 2019 after several failed attempts to exit britain from the european union.

may served in the position for three years and was the u.k.'s second female prime minister. >> ever since i first stepped through the door behind me as prime minister, i have striven to make the u.k. a country that not just works for a privileged few, but for everyone, and to honor the result of the eu referendum. in 2016, we gave the tish people a choice. against -- we gave the british people a choice. against culprit -- against all productions, they voted to leave the european union. if you give people a choice, you have a duty to implement what they decide. i have done my best to do that. i organized the terms for our exit and a new relationship with our neighbors that protects

jobs, security and our union. i have done every thing i can to convince mps to back that deal. sadly, i have not been able to do so. i tried three times. it was right to persevere even when the other against success seem tied. -- seemed high. but it is now click to me that it is in the best interests of the country for a new prime minister to lead the effort. so, today i am announcing i will leave the conservative and unionist party on friday, june 7, so a successor can be chosen. i have agreed with the party chair and chair of the 1922 committee that the process for electing a new leader should begin the following week. i have kept her majesty the queen fully informed of my intentions and will continue to serve as her prime minister until the process has concluded. it is and will remain a matter

of deep regret that i have not been able to deliver brexit. it will be for my successor to seek a way forward which honors the result of the referendum. to succeed, he or she will have to find consensus in parliament, where i have not. such a consensus can only be reached if those on all sides of the debate are willing to compromise. for many years, the great humanitarian sir nicholas winton, who saved hundreds of children by arranging their evacuation from nazi occupied czechoslovakia, and another time of political controversy a few years before his death, he gave me a piece of advice. he said, never forget that compromise is not a dirty word. life depends on compromise.

he was right. as we strive to find compromises we need in our politics, whether to deliver brexit or two dissolve the government in northern ireland, we must member what brought us here. the referendum was not just a call to leave the eu, but more profound change in our country, a call to make the united kingdom they country that truly works for everyone. i am proud of progress we have made the last three years. we completed the work david cameron and george osborne started. the deficit is almost eliminated. our national debt is falling. we are bringing an end to austerity. my focus has been on ensuring that jobs of the future will be created in communities across the country, not just london and the southeast, through a modern industrial strategy. we have helped more people than

ever enjoy the security of a job. we are building more homes and helping first-time buyers up the housing ladder so young people can enjoy opportunities that their parents did. and we are protecting the environment, eliminating plastic waste, tackling climate change and improving our quality. this is what a decent, moderate and patriotic conservative government can achieve, even as we tackle the biggest peacetime challenge any government has faced. i know that the conservative party can renew itself in the years ahead, that we can deliver brexit and serve the british people with policies inspired by our values -- security, freedom and opportunity. those values have guided me throughout my career. but the unique privilege of this office is to use this platform to give a voice to the voiceless, to fight the

injustices that still scar our society. that is why i put proper funding for mental health at the heart of our nhs long-term plan. it is why i am ending the post-code lottery for survivors of domestic abuse. it is why the race disparity reporting and gender pay reporting are shining a light on equality so it has nowhere to hide. and it is why i set up the independent public inquiry into the tragedy at grenfell tower, so nothing like it can happen again, and so people who lost their lives that night are never forgotten. because this country is a union, not just a family of four nations, but a union of people, all of us. whatever our backgrounds, the color of our skin or who we love, we stand together and together, we have a great

future. our politics may be under strain, but there is so much that is good about this country, so much to be proud of, so much to be optimistic about. i will shortly leave the job that it has been the honor of my life to hold. the second female prime minister, but certainly not the last. i do so with no ill will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to survey country i love. >> for more programs from the british house of commons. -- comments, go to c-span.org. -- british house of