In the fifth round of voting, former foreign minister Johnson secured the support of 160 out of 313 Conservative lawmakers, while his successor and rival Hunt won 77. “Some of my colleagues have lost their patience,” said Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, one of Britain’s most vocal critics, warned no alternative deal was on the table. Johnson is a divisive figure, accused of populist rhetoric and a lack of attention to detail that led to an underwhelming two years as Britain’s foreign minister. The smooth-talking Hunt is a more traditional foreign minister, although his supporters insist that beneath his easy manner is a tough negotiator.

Source: Punch June 20, 2019 18:04 UTC