As reported by Reuters and Sky news, Boris Johnson is ready to run for a second term as Prime Minister. Johnson, who was on vacation in the Caribbean at the time of Truss’ resignation and has not publicly commented on running for his old post, has already garnered the support of dozens of Conservative MPs but needs a total of 100 nominations to be considered will.
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on Friday: “At the moment I’m leaning towards Boris Johnson.” Energy and Economics Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg also spoke out in favor of Johnson, who resigned as Prime Minister a few months ago because of various scandals, as party and government leader.
James Duddridge, one of Johnson’s closest allies in Parliament, said he had been in touch with his old boss via WhatsApp. “He’ll fly back. He said… ‘We’re going to do this. I’m in,'” quoted Rep. Johnson.
Within the party, however, there are other promising candidates. Ex-Finance Minister Rishi Sunak was the first to gather the necessary hundred supporters from Tory MPs behind him. Several MPs confirmed on Friday evening that Sunak had reached the minimum number of supporters.
“I am honored to be the 100th Tory MP to ‘
Sunak would automatically become party leader and prime minister if his opponents failed to rally 100 supporters each. According to a Friday night tally by political website Guido Fawkes, Sunak has 103 supporters, Johnson has 68 and Mordaunt has 25.
Sunak is considered the most promising candidate – not least because he predicted the catastrophic consequences of Truss’s economic plans that eventually brought her down. However, many supporters of Johnson regard him as a “kingslayer” because of his role in his resignation.
Sunak and Johnson supporters are reportedly holding talks to see if there is scope for an amicable solution. Security Secretary Tom Tugendhat, who supports Sunak, appealed to ex-Prime Minister Johnson: “This is not the time for political games, for reckoning or backwardness.”
