'Hasta La Vista, Baby': Johnson Applauded After Final PMQs

Boris Johnson was applauded by lawmakers in the House of Commons after his final Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQ) on Wednesday, July 20.

Speaking before Parliament on Wednesday, Johnson said, “I want to use the last few seconds, Mr Speaker, to give some words of advice to my successor, whoever he or she may be. Number one, stay close to the Americans. Stick up for the Ukrainians. Stick up for freedom and democracy everywhere. Cut taxes and deregulate wherever you can to make this the greatest place to live and invest — which it is.”

He continued, “The last few years have been the greatest privilege of my life, and it’s true that I helped to get the biggest Tory majority for 40 years. A huge realignment in UK politics, Mr Speaker. We’ve transformed our democracy and restored our national independence […] We’ve helped — I’ve helped to get this country through a pandemic and helped save another country from barbarism. And frankly, that’s enough to be going on with. Mission largely accomplished. For now.”

At the end of his remarks, Johnson quoted the catchphrase of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in the film Terminator 2: Judgment Day, saying, “Hasta la vista, baby.” Credit: Parliament TV via Storyful

Video transcript

BORIS JOHNSON: I want to thank my Right Honorable Friend. And I want to use the last few seconds, Mr. Speaker, to give some words of advice to my successor, whoever he or she may be. Number one, stay close to the Americans. Stick up for the Ukrainians. Stick up for freedom and democracy everywhere.

Cut taxes and deregulate wherever you can to make this the greatest place to live and invest, which it is. I love the Treasury, but remember that if we'd always listen to the Treasury, we wouldn't have built the M5 25 or the Channel Tunnel. Focus on the road ahead. Focus on the road ahead. But always remember to check the rear view mirror.

And remember, remember, above all it's not Twitter that counts. It's the people that sent us here. And yes, the last few years have been the greatest privilege of my life. And it's true that I helped to get the biggest Tory majority for 40 years and a huge realignment in UK politics, Mr. Speaker. We've transformed our democracy and restored our national independence as my Right Honorable friend says.

We've helped, I've helped, to get this country through a pandemic and help save another country from barbarism. And frankly that's enough to be going on with. Mission largely accomplished for now. I want to thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank all the wonderful staff of the House of Commons. I thank all my friends and colleagues. I want to thank my Right Honorable Friend opposite, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank everybody here and hasta la vista, baby. Thank you.

[CHEERING]