After narrowly fending off a no-confidence vote from his own Conservative MPs, Johnson vowed on Tuesday to work on policy priorities such as the economy and Ukraine, but was urged by a Conservative predecessor to quit and save the nation from further agonies. But most critics and commentators disagreed with 211 votes to 148 votes for the margin of his win, as a Pyrrhic victory that left the Tory leader drained of much authority.
Boris, Johnson's former employers at the Daily Telegraph, called it a hollow victory that tears Tories apart Party's over, headlined the Daily Mirror, in a nod to a series of lock-up parties held in Downing Street, where Johnson was fined by police and angered by voters.
The prime minister's team tried to regain the offensive, by pointing out a setpiece speech on new economic support measures in the coming days, as Britons struggle with a cost-of-living crisis.
The government is expected to introduce new legislation to walk away from its post-Brexit commitments on Northern Ireland, placating some right-wingers but infuriating the European Union.
A cabinet reshuffle to replenish his team of Brexit loyalists is not currently on the cards, Johnson's spokesman said.
The prime minister said after the vote that there was no snap general election. He pointed out that there was a need for government unity in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Britain has been at the forefront of European military support for the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke to Johnson in the hours before Monday's Conservative election.
Zelensky said he was very happy that Johnson had survived the vote at an online event hosted by the Financial Times on Tuesday.
Boris Johnson is a true friend of Ukraine, according to the president, who spoke through a translator.
Johnson is unlike previous Conservative leaders in his personal life, populist politics and bombastic style, and his camp spent Monday arguing that even a majority of one would suffice.
Johnson, 57, needed the backing of 180 of the 359 Conservatives MPs to survive the vote.
Most of Johnson's cabinet backed him in the secret ballot. More than 40 percent of the parliamentary party did not.
The prime minister can't be challenged for a year under current Tory rules, which leaves little time for a new leader to emerge before the next general election due by 2024.
The party's 1922 committee of MPs, tasked with overseeing leadership challenges, says it could easily change the rules if a majority backs it.
The prime minister should revamp his cabinet to bring in fresh talent and start to focus on the big issues I think we need to talk about a matter of months up to a party conference in October, according to senior backbencher Tobias Ellwood, who voted against Johnson.