Boris Johnson is expected to run to be Prime Minister after Liz Truss’s resignation, according to reports.
Numerous media outlets reported that Mr Johnson, who resigned in July, believes it would be in the “national interest” for him to run again.
It comes after 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady has said he expects Tory members to be involved in choosing a new party leader, paving the way for a possible return for Mr Johnson. Polling of Tory members released on Wednesday found that nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) want Mr Johnson to take over.
The former Prime Minister is said to be “taking soundings” on whether to run again, according to The Times. He is currently on holiday in the Caribbean with his wife Carrie.
Some Tory MPs have already expressed excitement at the prospect of Mr Johnson returning to No10 - while others cautioned his re-election.
James Duddridge wrote: “I hope you enjoyed your holiday boss. Time to come back. Few issues at the office that need addressing. #bringbackboris.”
Nadine Dorries is a long-standing supporter.
Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith claimed that Mr Johnson was the only candidate with a mandate from the public.
He told Sky News: “We need someone who can come in, we need somebody who can bring people together, somebody who actually has got that mandate. So a mandate from people in the last general election, a mandate from party members and somebody actually who can get this party going again, get us winning elections again.
“The only person that I think that ticks all those boxes is Boris Johnson.”
But MP Bob Seely indicated that he did not want to “go back” to the time when Mr Johnson was leader.
“Good luck to Boris. I don’t want to go back to a few months ago where we were so whoever is going to get through I think there’s going to be quite a high threshold,” he told Sky News.
“And I will see personally who those candidates are when they get the numbers.”
And Justin Tomlinson said it was “wishful thinking” to imagine that Mr Johnson could return as prime minister.
The Tory MP, who described himself as someone who had strongly supported the former prime minister in the past, told Sky News: “I just think it’s too soon. I was there supporting him to the very end but he did lose the confidence of the majority of our colleagues.
“I thought that was wrong. But you have to respect that.
“I don’t think a sufficient enough time has probably passed for the party to then unite behind him and for me this now is about us, frankly, being grown up, being pragmatic and putting the country first.”
Mr Johnson resigned in early July after his Government was rocked by a string of ministerial resignations, prompted by the Partygate scandal and allegations of sexual misconduct against former chief whip Chris Pincher.
He will likely face stiff opposition in the form of Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt and Kemi Badenoch.
MPs may even conspire to keep Mr Johnson’s name off the ballot should it go to members.
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Tory 1922 Committee, said he expected the new leader to be in place by Friday, October 28.
He told reporters: “I have spoken to the party chairman Jake Berry and he has confirmed that it will be possible to conduct a ballot and conclude a leadership election by Friday the 28th of October.
“So we should have a new leader in place before the fiscal statement which will take place on the 31st.”
