Rishi Sunak is believed to have become the first Tory leadership candidate to have amassed sufficient support to make it to the ballot of Conservative MPs. The former chancellor’s supporters said late on Friday (October 21) that he had received nominations from 100 Tory MPs to pass the threshold required well ahead of Monday’s deadline.
Boris Johnson was lagging behind, as was Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt who became the first to confirm her candidacy to replace Liz Truss as prime minister. Mr Johnson has told allies he is “up for it” and would fly back from his holiday in the Dominican Republic to enter the race and attempt an extraordinary comeback.
There is speculation among backers of the old Downing Street neighbours that they could strike a deal to stand together, but this would need them both to bury a lot of rancour. Mr Sunak was among the first of the high-profile resignations from Mr Johnson's government that led to him leaving No 10.
As Mr Sunak, who came second against Ms Truss in the last race six weeks ago, amassed 82 public backers and was said to have reached 100 with private pledges of support, Mr Johnson had 48 public backers and Ms Mordaunt 18. MPs will vote on Monday, and two candidates will be put forward to the Tory membership unless one pulls out, with a result being announced on Friday.
Mr Johnson has won Cabinet support from ministers including Jacob Rees-Mogg, Simon Clarke and Alok Sharma. But former Tory leader Lord William Hague warned Mr Johnson’s return would lead to a “death spiral” for 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,” he told Times Radio.
Neither Mr Johnson or Mr Sunak have officially launched their campaigns, unlike Ms Mordaunt who put her name forward with a pledge to re-unite the bitterly divided Tory Party. The Leader of the House – who finished third in the last leadership election – said she had been encouraged by the support she had received from fellow Conservative MPs.
. “I’m running to be the leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister – to unite our country, deliver our pledges and win the next GE (general election)," she said in a statement on social media. Her announcement came after she assured Jeremy Hunt he could stay on as Chancellor if she won.
Mr Johnson’s supporters have been urging him to mount a comeback six weeks after he left No 10 after being forced to resign by a Cabinet rebellion over a series of scandals. Ally Sir James Duddridge said Mr Johnson has told him he is “up for it”, and will head back from his Caribbean holiday. He is expected back in the UK today (Saturday October 21).
Some MPs have warned they will resign the Tory whip and sit in the Commons as independents if Mr Johnson returns to Downing Street. However, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said he was “leaning towards” backing his long-time ally Mr Johnson, as he ruled out a run for the top job himself.
Mr Wallace praised Mr Johnson's record on investing in defence and pointing to the “huge majority” he won in 2019. He said: “This will be potentially our third prime minister since the general election of 2019 – that means we have to think about that legitimacy question that the public will be asking themselves, and also about who could win the next election – that’s obviously important for any political party at the time.”
Supporters of Mr Johnson believe that if he can make it to the last two, he will win in the final online ballot of party activists with whom he remains hugely popular.
Mr Sunak won the backing of Sajid Javid, his predecessor as chancellor, who backed Ms Truss in the last race and Mr Johnson in 2019. Mr Javid said Mr Sunak has the “values our party needs” to help them “move on from the mistakes of the past”.
Former minister Johnny Mercer also backed Mr Sunak, and argued he could not put himself or his constituents through another Johnson administration after the “terrible” lows last time around.
“Boris is a friend of mine, he’s a great guy, but I just don’t think I can put myself through that again. I don’t think I can ask my constituents to, I don’t think I can ask my staff…” he told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme. "I love Boris to bits, and he’s got amazing qualities for this country, but it is now time for serious, competent, straight-forward and values-based governance.”
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
Find recommendations for eating out, attractions and events near you here on our sister website 2Chill
Find recommendations for dog owners and more doggy stories on our sister site Teamdogs
