The outgoing prime minister may attempt a return to office in the event the incoming Conservative prime minister fails, his allies have been reported as saying.
According to reports in The Times, Boris Johnson is more likely to become a backbench Tory MP until at least the next election rather than to stand down as an MP. One observer close to the Prime Minister claimed that a government led by Rishi Sunak, the candidate most favoured to become Mr Johnson's successor, could divide the party even further and lead to a speedy collapse as right wingers in the party launched a new revolt over the issue of Brexit. On top of a recession it could end a Sunak premiership.
One ally told the Times: “He’s not gone for the long term. A third of the parliamentary party is loyal to him and he’s not standing down as an MP. He could have significant influence from the outside – and then who knows what will happen?”
