Boris Johnson promises to unite the UK and deliver Brexit

Boris Johnson, is the man chosen to lead Britain’s governing Conservative Party and who will become the country’s next Prime Minister, tasked with fulfilling his promise to lead the UK out of the European Union.

By Linda Bordoni

Outgoing UK Prime Minister Theresa May pledged to give "full support" to her successor, Boris Johnson on Tuesday after he won the contest to become the country’s next leader.

Johnson resoundingly defeated his rival Jeremy Hunt, winning two thirds of the votes in a ballot of about 160,000 Conservative members.

He will be installed as prime minister in a formal handover from Theresa May on Wednesday.

In a brief speech meant to rally the party faithful, Johnson pledged to deliver Brexit

He also vowed to unite the country and defeat the Labour opposition.

Johnson, who is a former London mayor, has won over Conservatives by promising to succeed where May failed and lead the U.K. out of the European Union on the scheduled date of October 31 — with or without a deal.

But it’s expected Johnson is in for a rough ride as he will preside over a House of Commons in which most members oppose leaving the EU without a deal, and where the Conservative Party lacks an overall majority.

Listen to our report