Boris Johnson has resigned as Prime Minister after MPs passed a motion of no confidence in his government.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced his resignation following a vote of no confidence in the House of Commons. The decision comes just hours after Mr Johnson survived a vote on his Brexit plan, which was backed by 325 MPs to 306. This is how we got here and what happens next.

Why did Boris Johnson call for an election?

On July 23rd, 2016, Britain voted to leave the European Union by 52% to 48%. On March 29th, 2017, Britain triggered Article 50 and officially began its exit from the EU. In theory, this process should have taken two years but it was extended by another year until March 29th 2019. Theresa May’s deal would have kept Britain in the EU until 2021 but it was rejected three times by Parliament. In April 2019, Theresa May resigned as Prime Minister and Boris Johnson took over.

What is Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan?

Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement, which she negotiated with the EU, included a backstop that would keep Northern Ireland in the customs union if there was no deal on how to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland (which is part of the EU). Mr Johnson’s deal doesn’t include this backstop.

Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement, which she negotiated with the EU, included a backstop that would keep Northern Ireland in the customs union if there was no deal on how to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland (which is part of the EU). Mr Johnson’s deal doesn’t include this backstop.