It took the resignation of nearly 60 members of his government
almost half the payroll -- for Johnson to finally abandon his attempts to cling on to power.
Even then, the Prime Minister insisted that he would continue as caretaker leader while the Conservative Party launches the process of choosing a successor.
Some senior figures in his party say even that will be unsustainable, given the dwindling number of people willing to work for him.
Others are already lining up to replace him. Party officials say they will announce the timetable for a leadership election by Monday.
Speaking in front of the famous 10 Downing Street door, the same place where many of his predecessors delivered their own resignation address
Johnson announced that he would be stepping down -- without actually saying the words out loud.
"It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore, a new prime minister," Johnson said.
"The process of choosing that new leader should begin now," he added, saying the time line will be announced next week.
"Enough is enough. We don't need to change the Tory at the top -- we need a proper change of government. We need a fresh start for Britain."