LONDON - Boris Johnson has been elected new Conservative leader in a ballot of party members and will become the next UK prime minister.

He beat Jeremy Hunt in a poll of Tory members, winning 92,153 votes to Mr Hunt's 46,656.

The former London Mayor takes over from Theresa May on Wednesday.

Mr Johnson paid tribute to his defeated rival Hunt as an "absolutely formidable campaigner".

Johnson has promised tax cuts for the richest, presenting himself as the bankers' friend, and pushing for a damaging No Deal Brexit.

But he hasn't won the support of our country.

Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "Johnson’s No Deal Brexit would mean job cuts, higher prices in the shops, and risk our NHS being sold off to US corporations in a sweetheart deal with Donald Trump. The people of our country should decide who becomes the Prime Minister in a General Election."

EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said: " We look forward to working constructively w/ PM @BorisJohnson when he takes office, to facilitate the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement and achieve an orderly #Brexit. We are ready also to rework the agreed Declaration on a new partnership in line with #EUCO guidelines."

Mr Johnson acknowledges his election won't be universally welcomed, telling Tory members: "I know there will be people around the place who will question the wisdom of your decision."

He adds: "Today at this pivotal moment in our history, we have to reconcile two noble sets of instinct. These are between "friendship" with European allies and a "silmultaneous desire for democratic self-government in this country".

Johnson dismisses suggestions these are "irreconcilable".

Mr Johnson also paid tribute to the outgoing prime minister saying it was a "privilege" to serve Theresa May.(FA)