by Boris Johnson told allies he is “ready for” the Tory leadership race and is racing back to the UK to throw his hat in the ring.
Trade Minister Sir James Duddridge, a friend and supporter of the former prime minister, said Mr Johnson would return to Britain on Saturday from his Caribbean holiday and enter the competition to replace Liz Truss.
He said: “I have been in contact with the boss via WhatsApp. He is about to go back. He said, ‘I’m coming back, Dudders. We will do it. I’m in’.”
Sir James said that Mr Johnson, who was ousted from his own cabinet following a series of scandals, had “learned and pondered” during his two months out of office and knew he needed an operation. . 10 that she was “smarter”.
He also tweeted: “Workers fear an election against Boris Johnson. One more reason for #BringBackBoris! “
Meanwhile, Jacob Rees-Mogg said Johnson is the conservatives’ only realistic chance to join the party and stabilize the economy after the market turmoil triggered by Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget.
The secretary of affairs said Johnson was the only candidate able to convincingly reject pressure for general elections because he had led the party to landslide victory in 2019.
“Boris Johnson offers the best chance of a road to recovery for the Conservative Party, he said The Telegraph. “The Tory party must unite. We have been too divided.”
He predicted conservative poll ratings would bounce back under Johnson, saying, “It’s surprising that when Boris Johnson took over in 2019, we were 30% behind in the polls.
“Shortly after his departure, we’re back to being 30% behind in the polls.”
Mr. Rees-Mogg said Conservative Party members should decide who the next leader is, rather than a “mending” between MPs.
“Boris Johnson clearly has a mandate now constitutionally,” he added.
Many MPs argue that only a candidate who won the general election could legitimately be the new prime minister.
But Mr. Johnson is very divisive. Former leader William Hague warned that Johnson’s resurrection would lead to a “death spiral” for the party.
Lord Hague, a Tory peer, said Johnson’s return was “possibly the worst idea I’ve heard of” during his 46 years of membership.
And veteran Sir Roger Gale said he would step down from the conservative whip and declare himself independent if the former prime minister was given a second chance.
Former minister Johnny Mercer, who supports Rishi Sunak, said he could not subject himself or his constituents to another Johnson administration after last time “terrible” lows.
“Boris is a friend of mine, I love him a little, he’s a good guy, but I don’t think I can face him again. I don’t think I can ask my constituents to do that, I don’t think I can ask my staff, “Mercer told BBC Radio 4. PM program.
A return for Mr. Johnson would be plagued with challenges, not least the investigation of whether he lied to the House of Commons about the Partygate scandal, for which he was fined by the police.
If found guilty by the Commons Privileges Committee, he could face recall proceedings that would leave him fighting for his seat in the Commons if he received a suspension of 10 days or more.
Its popularity with the public has plummeted, although it is still high up with Tory membership.
