In the last-chance saloon, Boris Johnson survives as UK PM for now

FILE PHOTO: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends the National Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul's Cathedral, during Britain's Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, in London, Britain, June 3, 2022. Victoria Jones/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) -For a man who long set his sights on becoming Britain's prime minister, Boris Johnson came dangerously close on Monday to being ousted by lawmakers tired of defending him and faces a battle to win back the confidence of his party and country.

He survives, just, for now. But he is deeply wounded and even loyal lawmakers who backed him in a confidence vote say he must now change - return to the traditional ideals of the governing Conservative Party, foster unity and lead.