BORIS Johnson has announced his resignation during a statement to the nation today.
Mr Johnson said: "It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary conservative party that there should be a new leader of that party and so a new prime minister.
Mr Johnson confirmed he will remain in place "until a new leader is in place".
From 2007 as shadow higher education minister to 2022 as Prime Minister, the Daily Echo looks back at the times Mr Johnson visited the area and made the headlines.
University of Southampton - Shadow higher education minister - June 22, 2007
Tory MP Boris Johnson dropped into Southampton University to tour its world-class research centres and the newly constructed £50m Mountbatten Complex on June 22, 2007.
The shadow higher education minister met vice-chancellor Professor Bill Wakeham and other members of the university.
As he viewed the progress on the construction of the new state-of-the-art Mountbatten Complex, which replaced a research building destroyed by fire 18 months previous, Mr Johnson entered the debate over whether homes in multiple occupancy for students were a problem in the city.
Speaking on so-called “student ghettos”, Mr Johnson said it was a problem for homeowners but thought students living in their own digs was just part of university life.
He told the Daily Echo: “I can see the problem and the difficulty that people living in these areas have regarding their property values but personally I feel that it would be a shame to herd all students into halls of residence where they would live in a glorified hotel. I don’t want to ‘schoolify’ the university. It’s good for students to live outside the campus with other students in digs where they have to learn about the real world and learn about cooking and cleaning.
“It’s very important that students behave responsibly and don’t trash the place but I don’t want to see too much regulation regarding homes in multiple occupancy because the cost of implementing it would be passed on to the students.
“I think there’s a balance to be struck and students have to behave.”
Eastleigh - Mayor of London - February 20, 2013
BORIS Johnson came to Eastleigh on February 20, 2013, to show his support for Maria Hutchings in the Conservative by-election campaign.
Mr Johnson, who was Mayor of London at the time, knocked on doors in Stamford Way, Fair Oak, canvassing votes.
A UKIP van briefly disrupted his visit after a campaigner drove the vehicle down Dean Road and sounded the horn.
But Mr Johnson remained in positive spirits, even after talking to one man who told the Conservative duo he would not be voting next week because: “I hate all politicians”.
After seeing the number of resources the Liberal Democrats had invested in the campaign, Johnson played down accusations that he was visiting the town because his party was getting "jittery."
He said: “I'm here because it's very important to support our party at a time when I think it's amazing how close and how hard fought this election is.
“It's a two-horse race between Maria and the Liberal Democrats and it's perfectly obvious to me that we've got a very, very strong, sparky, original, forthright, local candidate campaigning on local issues who I think has a very, very good chance next Thursday.
“It would be stupendous if we do win. It would be an absolutely wonderful thing because it would be the first time in 31 years that a governing party would have won a by-election in these circumstances.
“Clearly it's going to be very tough and tight and there's plenty of evidence of that from the conversations we've been having.
“But I can tell you there's a lot of support here.”
Winchester -Campainging for Brexit - May 26, 2016
During his rally to leave the European Union, Boris Johnson brought frenzied scenes to the streets of Hampshire on May 26, 2016.
As the former Mayor of London's Brexit roadshow visited Winchester, hundreds of fans and protesters gathered on the High Street.
The heavyweight Tory visited on a busy market day and was mobbed by people as he made his way from the Winchester Royal Hotel.
Snapping selfies and shaking hands with supporters, he was ferried through a 300-strong crowd to the top of the historic Buttercross.
Addressing the crowd in Winchester Boris said: "People should be optimistic about their country, believe in Britain, don't believe the scaremongering. This is the moment by taking back control where we show we can stand on our own two feet and do better than ever before."
Mr Johnson and his aides went for lunch at upmarket pub The Wykeham Arms before returning to Westminster.
Southampton Airport - Prime Minister - May 4, 2022
Boris Johnson made a last-ditch bid to win votes in Southampton and Eastleigh when he visited Southampton Airport on May 4, 2022.
During his speech, Mr Johnson said that the Conservatives and Southampton's airport expansion would "bring more jobs, more growth to Southampton".
With rising costs of living, he promised to help families 'get through' the rising cost of living.
His visit came as Southampton was branded a key battleground by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves in their visits to the city.
Mr Johnson met holidaymakers at the airport, helped baggage handlers load suitcases and took a look at a fire service response vehicle.
West End - Prime Minister - May 4, 2022
Residents in West End were shocked to see Boris Johnson standing on their step when they opened their doors.
A visit by the Prime Minister to Woodland Mews on May 4, 2022, was to support Conservative candidate Jerry Hall in his campaign.
Shocked families in the quiet road answered the knock, only to find the PM, alongside his team, journalists, photographers and Government representatives.
“What a lovely place to live,” was the phrase repeated by Mr Johnson who had just visited Southampton Airport.
“I’m absolutely delighted the Prime Minister has come down to West End South, he has visited before,” Mr Hall said.
“Last time we went to the pub, we went to the hairdressers and this time we are out in the Mews, which is a beautiful place in West End South.”
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