ITV Good Morning Britain viewers reacted with anger and ridicule to a discussion on the programme on Tuesday about former Prime Minister Boris Johnson potentially returning to office. It came as the panel reported on a 'Bring Back Boris' petition that has gained 10,000 signatures.
Hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid spoke to former Conservative MEP David Campbell Bannerman about the petition, and he argued that if current PM Liz Truss is removed from office by her MPs, Boris Johnson should replace her.
It comes after a bruising few days for the Prime Minister, after she sacked her Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng on Friday before his replacement Jeremy Hunt scrapped almost all of the economic policy she has set out so far. Several Conservative MPs have already called for her to resign.
READ MORE: Just two Nottinghamshire Conservative MPs confirm support for Liz Truss
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Campbell Bannerman said: "Boris delivered Brexit, he's very popular still among members - two thirds of members would have him back. And all the polls show that the public still like Boris.
"I think he's a great asset to the party. But I should say, I do support Liz Truss. But if MPs get rid of her, which they're trying to do. . . then Boris is the only alternative. We can't have another new face come in at this stage it would look like a complete joke."
Richard responded: "But wouldn't it look really strange to have a Prime Minister who'd been booted out come back maybe seven weeks later?"
But Campbell Bannerman said that it was only MPs who got rid of Johnson, and that he would have liked to see Boris on the ballot in the latest leadership contest. He added that the ex-PM was never voted out by Conservative members, or by the public.
The politician claimed that the public still felt warmly towards Johnson, saying: "There is still an enormous amount of support for him. Even after partygate - months of going at him we were only three or four per cent behind in the polls at that stage. Now we're 30 plus behind in the polls.
Richard intervened to say that the Tories were 36% behind in a poll today, to which Campbell Bannerman continued: "36, it gets worse. So look, Boris is a great electoral asset. As I say, I do support Liz, but if they push her out, which seems to be going on at the moment, then we have to have Boris back."
Good Morning Britain viewers took to Twitter to share their reaction to the possibility of a Boris Johnson comeback, with many attacking the idea. @uniquedollsUK said: " The Tories are definitely delusional to even start to suggest bringing back Boris Johnson, a man with zero integrity, a liar and a charlatan. #GMB"
Meanwhile @FlopsyPickle tweeted: " ‘Does Boris deserve a second chance?’, like f*** does he! ‘The public didn’t vote him out’, we weren’t given the option, just like he majority of the country weren’t able to vote for who the new PM should be #gmb #goodmorningbritain."
@kezi2001 commented: " If Bungling Boris is the best they have to offer, then maybe the tories need to select new members to stand for election #GMB." And @Mabel_Mouse_ said: " Boris refused to answer any questions and hid in a fridge last time. He couldn’t get us out of this hole that we’re in. #GMB."
However, @mightymidge1987 tweeted: " For the love of God BRING BACK BORIS @GMB I NEVER wanted Boris out in the first place #imissboris #gmb #goodmorningbritain."
READ NEXT:
Budget calculator shows how income tax announcement affects your finances
ITV The Chase's Mark Labbett leaves This Morning viewers surprised with appearance
Urgent Amazon scam warning as even savvy tech user 'nearly clicked'
Nottingham homeowners question 'where the money's going' over rising service charge
Tributes to much-loved campaigner described as a 'true diamond'
