BORIS Johnson has been elected as the United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister after winning in the leadership contest against Jeremy Hunt on Tuesday.

Johnson who was a former Mayor of London and UK Foreign Secretary will take over from his predecessor Theresa May when she formally tenders her resignation to Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday, according to BBC.

He beat his rival in a poll conducted among members of the governing conservative party. Of the 160,000 votes cast, Boris secured 92,153 votes, a total of 58 per cent of the votes cast.

Theresa May, the second female British Prime Minister, announced to resign on May 24 when she lost the support of her cabinet for her inability to secure the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU), called Brexit. She missed two Brexit deadlines.

“I negotiated the terms of our exit and a new relationship with our closest neighbours that protects jobs, our security and our Union. I have done everything I can to convince MPs to back that deal. Sadly, I have not been able to do so,” she had expressed her emotion.

The 55-year-old Johnson will inherit May’s vision of exiting the EU when he assumes the role on Wednesday. Throughout his campaign, he was vocal about his willingness to exit the EU, pledging to leave on October 31″. The date is the latest deadline for the UK to depart the bloc.

“We are not daunted, we are leaving the EU by October 31,” said Johnson in his victory speech delivered at  Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London on Tuesday. He added that the country would take advantage of all the opportunities the exit bring with a new spirit of can do.

“We are once again going to believe in ourselves, and like some slumbering giant we are going to rise and ping off the guy ropes of self-doubt and negativity,” he said.

Johnson appreciated his predecessor, saying it was a privilege to serve in her cabinet. May also congratulated him, promising her “full support from the backbenches”.

With just three months before the Brexit deadline, Johnson is expected to hit the ground running, announcing his cabinet and other top posts in the next few days.

Three years after the referendum vote to leave the European Union, Britain has remained a member, after twice delaying its exit amid continued wrangling in a divided parliament — and the country — on how to proceed.

Johnson led the 2016 Brexit campaign and has said the latest deadline must be kept, with or without a divorce agreement with the EU.