It is hard to see a way back now for Boris Johnson.
There was speculation last night that he would sit out the next general election hoping to capitalise on a Conservative collapse and then find a way back as an MP to challenge for the leadership.
But that seems an unlikely plan sketched out by others after Mr Johnson's sudden decision to quit.
Judging by the language in his resignation statement he seems to have made an angry decision after the Privileges Committee made findings against him in a draft report.
He decided to go without even giving any notice to the government whips.
As has been pointed out, he had two weeks to make submissions against the findings, he could have fought a vote in the House of Commons to suspend him and then could have fought a by-election.
But he threw in the towel.
It is reminiscent of his most recent challenge for the leadership last October.
He had campaigned vigorously and had secured the necessary 100 nominations to enter the race. Polls among Tory membership showed he would probably win when it went to their vote.
But when Suella Braverman surprised everyone by declaring for Rishi Sunak, he suddenly dropped out - to the surprise of even his closest supporters.
The reason he gave then was that he did not have the support of enough Conservative MPs to unite the party.
Eight months on, Rishi Sunak's leadership has brought a greater sense of stability and he is now backed by some of Mr Johnson's former supporters.
Mr Johnson had to be winning over more MPs not losing some.
He knew he was going to lose the vote in the House of Commons but the irony is that the latest polls showed he could have won the by-election in his constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
But just like in June last year when he resigned as prime minister and last October when he gave up the leadership challenge, he seems to have known the game was up when it came to getting the support of enough of fellow Tory MPs.
That is what he needed to survive the House of Commons vote for suspension.
He knew he was not going to get it and was not willing to suffer the indignity of being voted out of parliament. He decided the game was up.
That is three times out.
Read more: UK facing by-elections in wake of Johnson departure
