The return of Boris Johnson to Number 10 would send the Conservative Party into a ‘death spiral’, William Hague has warned.
The Tory grandee, once leader himself and former Foreign Secretary, said Mr Johnson’s return was “the worst idea I’ve heard of in the 46 years I’ve been a member of the Conservative Party”.
On Wednesday afternoon Penny Mordaunt became the first Tory to officially declare she wants to replace Liz Truss as Prime Minister - but all the eyes are on a possible swift return to power for Boris Johnson.
Rishi Sunak had got off to the fastest start on Friday, with Mr Johnson trailing behind him.
By mid-afternoon, more MPs had publicly declared for Mr Sunak, with one tally putting him on more than 70.
Even once whips and other party figures, who have to remain publicly neutral, are included, the ex-Chancellor was ahead of Mr Johnson - but many MPs on the Tory Right were yet to declare.
Ms Mordaunt’s declaration may inject some momentum into her campaign which had not got many more MPs supporting her on Friday, and was believed to be around the 20 mark having publicly said they would back her.
Ms Mordaunt tweeted: “I’ve been encouraged by support from colleagues who want a fresh start, a united party and leadership in the national interest.
“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.”
Early momentum is often crucial to win over wavering MPs who will not want to publicly back a losing candidate.
