Boris Johnson returns to UK for quick political comeback

LONDON, October 22 (Reuters) – Boris Johnson returned to the UK on Saturday as he considers a daring attempt to become prime minister for a second time only weeks after he was forced to resign, with some colleagues warning that his return could create further political chaos.

Potential candidates to replace Prime Minister Liz Truss, who resigned Thursday after six weeks in office, have taken on a frenzy. weekend lobbying Securing enough nominations to enter the leadership contest before Monday’s deadline.

Johnson, who was on vacation in the Caribbean when Truss resigned, did not make a public statement about an offer for his old job. It has the support of dozens of Conservative lawmakers, but must secure 100 nominations to be considered.

Secretary of Commerce James Duddridge said on Friday that Johnson told him he was “ready”. He said on Saturday Johnson had nominated 100 candidates, but a Reuters tally put him at around 40, while the vote showed former finance minister Rishi Sunak, the bookies favorite for now, surpassing 100.

this on Sundays He reported that Sunak and Johnson could meet late Saturday without giving details about the planned discussions.

Just former defense minister penny mordaunt He has officially announced he will run, but a Reuters tally showed he has only nominated 22 so far before Monday’s 1300 GMT deadline.

The next prime minister, who will change hands three times in four years, is facing a massive inbox after Truss’ economic plans have rattled bond markets, increased government borrowing costs and put more pressure on households and businesses already struggling with a cost. living crisis.

According to a Sky News reporter, on the plane landing in London on Saturday morning, Johnson was booed by some passengers on the plane bound for England.

Wearing a dark jacket and backpack, Johnson waved to photographers at London Gatwick Airport before walking away.

It will be a stunning comeback for the former journalist and former Mayor of London leaving Downing Street. shrouded in scandalHe said they “changed the rules midway” to prevent party lawmakers from serving a full term.

In support of another potential candidate, Sunak, commerce minister Kemi Badenoch, who competed in the leadership race earlier this year, backed the former finance minister and therefore excluded herself from another bid for the best job.

POLARIZATION

The prospect of another Johnson prime ministership is a polarizing issue for many in the deeply divided Conservative Party after four prime ministers were sacked in six years.

According to some Conservative lawmakers, Johnson is a nationwide vote winner with his celebrity image and brand of energetic optimism. For others, he is a toxic figure who will struggle to unify the party and therefore could undermine efforts to build a stable leadership to calm shaky financial markets.

Former interior minister Priti Patel said her former boss had “the authority to present our chosen manifesto and a proven track record of getting big decisions right”.

Another Conservative MP, Andrew Bridgen, said he could resign from the caucus if Johnson returned, and told Conservatives not to create a Johnson “cult of personality”.

Former Conservative party leader William Hague said Johnson’s return would lead to a “death spiral” for the party.

If Johnson can nominate enough, he could go head-to-head with Sunak, who left the finance ministry in July after saying his former boss couldn’t make tough decisions.

Johnson is currently under investigation by the Parliament’s Privileges Committee to determine whether he lied to the House of Commons about parties violating the curfew. Ministers found to have knowingly misled Parliament are expected to resign.

The competition has been stepped up to last only one week. Under the rules, only three candidates will be able to reach the first vote of MPs on Monday afternoon, with the final two being limited to about 170,000 registered members of the Conservative Party, with the final two voting on Friday.

Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; additional reporting by Henry Nicholls; Edited by Edmund Blair and Christina Fincher

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