Former Prime Minister has texted a close pal to say he's 'up for it' concerning the Conservative Party's leadership vote. The 58-year-old MP has been on holiday in the Caribbean, despite parliament being in session.
Thanks to the resignation of Liz Truss, Tory are now expected to put their weight behind a candidate for leader. And while the only MP to throw their hat into the ring at the time of writing is Penny Mordaunt, Mr Johnson has reportedly texted his friend that he is on his way back to reclaim Number 10.
He announced he will fly back to the UK from his Caribbean holiday to attempt an extraordinary comeback as prime minister in a text to an ally. Trade minister Sir James Duddridge said the man ousted by his own Cabinet just six weeks ago will be landing on Saturday (October 22).
The Tory MP said Mr Johnson challenge to replace Liz Truss as Conservative leader. Sir James told the PA news agency: “I’ve been in contact with the boss via WhatsApp. I came out for him before he declared for himself.
“He’s going to fly back. He said, ‘I’m flying back, Dudders. We are going to do this. I’m up for it’.”
The MP for Rochford and Southend East was confident that Mr Johnson will get the 100 nominations from Tory colleagues to make it to the next stage of the contest “quite quickly”. Sir James said Mr Johnson will argue he is “the only person that’s got a mandate” from the 2019 general election and that he can “bring the party together”.
Mr Johnson has “learned and reflected” during less than two months out of office, and knows he needs a No 10 operation that is “slicker” and has “command of the details”, according to the ally. Sir James said Mr Johnson knows he needs a “government of all talents” and would “welcome back with open arms” even those who “said despicable things about him”.
But the development will not be welcomed by all Tories, with former leader Lord William Hague warning Mr Johnson’s resurrection would lead to a “death spiral” for the party.
Lord Hague, a Tory peer, said Mr Johnson returning is “possibly the worst idea I’ve heard of” during his 46-year party membership.
“I think it’d be a very, very bad idea to bring Boris Johnson back,” he told Times Radio.
“This all started, this unravelling, because Boris Johnson was unable to run the government in the right way, to keep it together in the right way, to uphold the high standards of conduct that are necessary in the highest offices in the land. Him returning is the solution? That would be going round in circles and that could become a death spiral of the Conservative Party.
“And I think it’s possibly the worst idea I’ve heard of in the 46 years I’ve been a member of the Conservative Party.”
A return for Mr Johnson would be beset with challenges, not least the inquiry into whether he lied to the Commons over the partygate scandal, for which he was fined by police. If found guilty by the Commons Privileges Committee, he could face recall proceedings that would leave him battling for his seat in the Commons if he receives a suspension of 10 days or more.
His popularity with the public has crashed, even if he still rides high with the Tory membership. Some MPs have even suggested they could resign the party whip if he wins.
