Jacob Rees-Mogg was the first cabinet minister to publicly support the former prime minister on Friday when he posted on social media: “I support Boris #BorisorBust.”
According to a cabinet member, Boris Johnson could collect the 100 nominations he needs from Conservative MPs to advance in the Tory leadership campaign if he were to run for the position.
And this morning, Jacob Rees-Mogg became the first cabinet minister to publicly support the former prime minister, saying on social media: “I support Boris #BorisorBust.”
Yesterday, the second leadership campaign in three months began following the remarkable departure of Liz Truss, who was pushed from office 44 days into her tenure after a tumultuous few weeks in Westminster during which her tax-cutting mini-budget failed.
Six weeks after he was officially removed from the position of prime minister, talk is rife that Mr. Johnson could make a return to the political forefront.
Mr. Johnson is reported to be on vacation in the Dominican Republic, but indications indicate that his return to the United Kingdom is near.
Mr. Johnson’s former press secretary, Will Walden, told, “I’ve spoken with someone who has spoken with him, and he’s on his way back. He is conducting reconnaissance.”
Stanley Johnson, the father of Mr. Johnson, refused to comment on whether the former prime minister was planning a political comeback.
When asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain whether Mr. Johnson will return from his overseas trip early, his father responded, “I cannot tell you.”
The party rules for the leadership challenge stipulate that candidates must get the support of at least 100 Conservative MPs by Monday afternoon to remain in the race.
This means that a maximum of three individuals can stand. If three candidates receive 100 endorsements, there will be a vote by MPs, with the top two candidates being presented to the party membership.
If members vote on the top two candidates, a new leader will be selected by Friday, October 28.
If, however, Tory MPs unite behind one candidate, the battle will be ended by Monday.
When asked about Mr. Johnson’s chances of a second run for politics, a cabinet minister told, Beth Rigby, “I’d expect him to reach 100.
“Yesterday, even those who had resigned from his ministry were on the terrace reassuring colleagues that they would now support him, and members will certainly do the same.”
A friend of Mr. Johnson told that his candidacy is “probable.”
Bring Boris back
On Thursday night, it looked like momentum was shifting in favor of Mr. Johnson in light of rumors that he would enter the race.
Former culture secretary and staunch Johnson loyalist Nadine Dorries told that she is convinced he can secure 100 MPs.
He is a proven winner, and I’m putting my name forward for him because I want us to win the general election. Ms. Dorries stated that the party’s survival depends on the presence of a victor.
Sir Christopher Chope, a fellow Conservative MP, told that he is “excited” by the potential of Mr. Johnson’s return to Number 10.
“The news that Boris Johnson may come to the country’s and the Conservative Party’s rescue is a fantastic tonic,” he remarked.
Even though several Tory MPs have expressed support for Johnson’s return, he remains a polarising figure.
Crispin Blunt, who had advocated for the resignation of Ms. Truss, stated that Mr. Johnson is “not the character” to head the Conservative Party at this moment, but that he may return in the future.
Mr. Blunt, who will step down at the upcoming election, stated that while Mr. Johnson is talented, he has “one or two” flaws that make him unfit for the current situation.
Conservative MPs vow to abandon the party if Johnson is reinstated.
Sir Roger Gale, a senior backbencher, tweeted to remind people that the previous prime minister, who resigned in a cloud of corruption, was still under investigation by the Privileges Committee for possibly deceiving the House over partygate.
If Mr. Johnson is found guilty, he might face recall proceedings that would force him to fight for his seat in the House of Commons if he is suspended for 10 days or longer.
Sir Roger told Times Radio that he will renounce the Conservative Party whip and run as an independent if Mr. Johnson is re-elected as prime minister.
The final straw for Mr. Johnson’s premiership was suspicions about his judgment of Tory whip Chris Pincher, who was accused of drunken groping.
This was in addition to his efforts to amend the regulations to prevent the suspension of Conservative MP Owen Paterson for lobbying violations.
Mr. Johnson was compelled to announce his retirement on July 7, a little over 100 days ago, after a series of cabinet members resigned in protest.
Who are the remaining bikers and runners?
If they want to run, Rishi Sunak, the runner-up to Ms. Truss in the previous Conservative leadership election, and Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons, are considered the leading candidates for the keys to Number 10 with Mr. Johnson.
According to Sky’s deputy political editor Sam Coates, Mr. Sunak, the former chancellor and finalist for the Tory leadership, has signaled he is “very, very up to the job.”
Dominic Raab and Robert Jenrick, both former cabinet ministers, are among those who have already declared their support for Mr. Sunak.
While Ms. Mordaunt has “made it obvious in her public appearances that she is up to the task” and has the support of former cabinet member Andrea Leadsom and others, she has also made it clear in the public appearances that she is qualified for the position.
The new chancellor has ruled himself out of contention.
Suella Braverman, who resigned as home secretary on Wednesday, was quite scathing of Ms. Truss when she left, an indication, according to her allies, that she intends to run for office.
Ms. Braverman told that she will make a statement “in due time” regarding whether she will run for the Tory leadership.
The Defense Secretary, Ben Wallace, and the International Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, could also submit a bid.
Regardless of who is handed the keys to Downing Street, opposition parties argue that an early general election must be called.
Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, stated that Mr. Johnson is “incapable of governing” and that the British people “deserve so much more than this revolving door of disaster.”
