Boris Johnson has won more than 50 MP backers in his comeback bid for 10 Downing Street.
Which is surprising, you might think, given so many of them wanted him to quit less than four months ago.
Even more surprising is that a small number of the people backing the ex-PM now are the very same MPs who called for him to quit.
Ex-Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi said in July he should “leave with dignity” and staying on would make things “worse for the country”.
After airing his concerns in private, Mr Zahawi made them public saying: “I am heartbroken that he hasn’t listened.”
Yet astonishingly, the same Mr Zahawi is now claiming the Prime Minister was “contrite and honest about his mistakes”.
Other MPs have, to a lesser extent, cast criticism on Boris Johnson over the summer only to be - reportedly or confirmed - backing him now.
For full transparency we've listed the Tories who’ve hokey-cokeyed on Boris Johnson, or where it appears they may have done, in their own words.
Nadhim Zahawi
Then: “Prime Minister: this is not sustainable and it will only get worse: for you, for the Conservative Party and most importantly of all the country. You must do the right thing and go now.” He added: “I made clear to the PM… there was only one direction where this was going, and that he should leave with dignity… I am heartbroken that he hasn’t listened and is now undermining the incredible achievements of this government.”
Now: “I’m backing Boris. He got the big calls right, whether it was ordering more vaccines ahead of more waves of covid, arming Ukraine early against the advice of some, or stepping down for the sake of unity. But now, Britain needs him back. We need to unite to deliver on our manifesto. When I was Chancellor, I saw a preview of what Boris 2.0 would look like. He was contrite & honest about his mistakes. He’d learned from those mistakes how he could run No10 & the country better.”
Simon Clarke
Then: After Boris Johnson resigned, tweeted: “I am deeply saddened but [resigning] is the right decision. The country needs ministers in key posts to govern but this situation is impossible.”
Now: “Boris is a world leader who can chart a course through difficult waters. We need that today.”
Henry Smith
Then: “In spite of [his] achievements, the unnecessary personal decision errors which have been made in Downing Street mean that for the sake of our country we now need new leadership… Therefore, I believe it is in the interests of our country for Boris Johnson to resign.”
Now: Is reported by the BBC and the Guido Fawkes website to be backing Boris Johnson. The Mirror has not had first-hand confirmation, but he was quoted by the Economist as saying: “People like the fact that they know he is an intellectual, but he has a common touch.”
Caroline Johnson
Then: Resigned as a Vice Chair of the Conservative Party saying: “Over time the cumulative effect of your errors of judgement and domestic actions have squandered the goodwill of our great Party, Conservative colleagues, and many of my constituents.” Added he should make a "dignified exit".
Now: Is reported by the BBC, Times Radio and the Guido Fawkes website to be backing Boris Johnson. The Mirror has asked for first-hand confirmation.
Lee Anderson
Then: "I have remained loyal to the PM since being elected in 2019. However, my position has changed... I cannot look myself in the mirror and accept this. It is my belief that our PM has got all the big decisions right and guided us through the most difficult time in my life time and I have always backed him to the hilt. That said, integrity should always come first and sadly this has not been the case over the past few days."
Now: "Boris Johnson just called me. We have had a long chat about everything past and present. My inbox is full of BBB. I am drawing a line under it. Boris has my support."
Antony Higginbotham
Then: "We have, for many months now, given the benefit of the doubt to the Prime Minister. And privately I and others have been pushing for changes in policy and approach. It has become clear we can no longer work on this basis. Loyalty matters. But as the Member of Parliament for Burnley and Padiham my first loyalty is, and always will be, to you the public. It’s for that reason that I can no longer in good conscience continue supporting the current leader of my party."
Now: "There’s only one person who has the mandate to lead this country - the person who delivered Brexit for us, faced down those who would have had us locked down indefinitely, and stood up to an aggressive Russian state intent on invading Ukraine. We all know who that person is... I’m backing Boris!”
Jonathan Gullis*
Then: Resigned from a junior role saying: “I feel for too long we have been more focused on dealing with our reputational damage rather than delivering for the people of this country and spreading opportunity for all, which is why I came into politics. It is for this reason I can no longer serve as part of your government.” *Despite resigning in protest, his letter did not explicitly call for the Prime Minister to resign.
Now: “If he puts himself forward, Boris Johnson will have my support. I have had lots of people from across Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke telling me to bring back Boris! They voted for him and for his 2019 manifesto.”
