Tory Leadership Contest: Twitter mocks Boris Johnson as ex-mayor pulls out of PM race

Twitter users have compared the state of UK politics to Game of Thrones and House of Cards.

Former Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced that he will not be running for leadership of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of the UK. The shock move sparked reactions across Twitter, as many took to social media to express their amusement at the state of UK politics.

Johnson was widely believed to succeed David Cameron, having been one of the leading Leave campaigners during the UK's EU referendum. However, on 30 June Johnson confirmed that he would be taking himself out of the Tory leadership race.

IBTimes UK rounds up some of the best responses to Johnson's surprise announcement.

One tweeter depicted the news in straightforward fashion, but the picture accompanying the story showed a chicken running away. That was a theme mirrored by another tweeter, who revived the famous Monty Python And The Holy Grail scene in which King Arthur shouts at his troops "run away, run away". Some writers even compared the political saga with Game of Thrones or House of Cards.

BREAKING: #Boris Johnson QUITS #ToryLeadership race. pic.twitter.com/ZTkjAqd1cI
— Mark Johnston (@mark_johnston) June 30, 2016

And now, Boris Johnson announces he won't be standing for #ToryLeadership. And to think, I was having #GameofThrones withdrawal.
— Darshna Soni (@darshnasoni) June 30, 2016

Boris Johnson pulls out in time. His ex mistresses might not say same ( allegedly)
— Kate Robbins (@KateRobbins) June 30, 2016

The state of UK politics right now... #Boris #Brexit #Corbyn pic.twitter.com/mK715v008y
— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) June 30, 2016

This is the best season of #HouseOfCards yet https://t.co/1ac6cVcoMq
— Alfred Joyner (@alfredjoyner) June 30, 2016

#BorisJohnson upon realising what #VoteLeave ACTUALLY means. pic.twitter.com/XxIWz9kelT
— Bethany (@AcceptBethany) June 30, 2016

Boris clearly fancies a shot at the England manager's job...
— Thom Hetherington (@ThomHetheringto) June 30, 2016

Boris to retire from politics to spend more time with his hairdresser
— barry (@barrysaunders) June 30, 2016

#BorisJohnson right now. pic.twitter.com/BivmnqgOrq
— Giannis Tolios (@derevirn) June 30, 2016

#BorisJohnson like a child that decides to kick the monopoly game he started when it is not convenient for him. #bretixfail
— Taryn Caravaca (@tarynscaravaca) June 30, 2016

"Had you going there lads" #BorisJohnson pic.twitter.com/XWZCxDNvJs
— Woozle (@the_woozle) June 30, 2016

He's like one of those blokes who gets a girl pregnant and then just walks away #BorisJohnson
— Andy Monks (@AndythePandy_) June 30, 2016

I have had enough of elections and referenda. I think #ToryLeadership should be decided by a game of Rock Paper Scissors
— Jason Lewis (@ChiefBarker2015) June 30, 2016

I can't read my Twitter feed fast enough today... #BorisBust #ToryLeadership
— Alex Walmsley (@AlexAshWalms) June 30, 2016

Boris Johnson's week in review. pic.twitter.com/7I8PtAQN2r
— Ben Stanley (@BDStanley) June 30, 2016

Boris Johnson is NOT standing for PM

Here's his speech in full pic.twitter.com/mSg9eLXEt2
— John Shafthauer (@hourlyterrier) June 30, 2016

A summary of this morning's politics: pic.twitter.com/0CASSvCaMB
— Alan White (@aljwhite) June 30, 2016

Uneasy lies the head that wears the, the, ... whatever that thing is #RuinShakespeare @midnight pic.twitter.com/HqE7GET6zq
— lancegould (@lancegould) June 30, 2016

.@BrookesTimes has outdone himself today. Dying of laughter here pic.twitter.com/tGW6HSrry0
— Karrie Kehoe (@KarrieKehoe) June 30, 2016

Country reacts to Boris Johnson pulling out of Tory leadership race. pic.twitter.com/hNNczxpOdZ
— hrtbps (@hrtbps) June 30, 2016

"The next Prime Minister is likely to be either Theresa May or Michael Gove" pic.twitter.com/1K5LsEjjSP
— Count Snooku (@QueerDiscOx) June 30, 2016

BoJoxit.
— Louisa Loveluck (@leloveluck) June 30, 2016

Sorry? What part of "You Broke it, You Bought it." does he not understand? https://t.co/r8yF5tvITJ
— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) June 30, 2016

Boris Johnson has decided he's not going to run 4 Prime Minister,after realising BJ 4PM sounded more like Bill Clinton's afternoon schedule.
— Zahra Barri (@ZahraBarri1) June 30, 2016

Well done Boris Johnson pic.twitter.com/X736CFSvnh
— Ennui McGee (@dismalplaces) June 30, 2016

#ToryLeadership battle ðŸ˜‚ Boris Out?

so tell me who you want ffs? pic.twitter.com/KikdHLk1AN
— Ffs OMG Videos (@Ffs_OMG) June 30, 2016

How I imagine @David_Cameron right now #Toryleadership #BorisJohnson #BuggerOffBoris pic.twitter.com/SrHagRpSeD
— Rutgers-Herenius (@rutgersherenius) June 30, 2016