London/IBNS: The prospect of Boris Johnson making it into the final stage of the Tory Party leadership race should be taken “very” seriously, according to the founder of the ConservativeHome website.
Nobody has declared their intention to run yet – but Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt are seen as main contenders.
Candidates to succeed Liz Truss as the UK’s Prime Minister have just a few days to gather the support of MPs.
Nominations close at 2 pm Monday – and candidates must have the backing of at least 100 MPs to run.
Backers of Boris Johnson, who resigned in July following a series of scandals, are calling for him to stand in the race.
British political activist Tim Montgomerie says he’s hearing that not only is the ex-PM likely to pass the 100 MPs threshold, but he could garner the backing of “close to 140”.
Party members will vote on the candidates that meet the threshold in an online vote by Oct. 28.
“Boris Johnson is very popular amongst grassroots members and Rishi Sunak, the other leading contender for the crown, is much less popular,” Montgomerie told BBC.
“So, I wouldn’t want to make any cast iron prediction in this crazy world of politics at the moment but I think Boris Johnson returning is a very real possibility.”
Montgomerie added that there are many Tories who “hate the idea of Johnson becoming leader” again, with talk of MPs potentially resigning the whip if he succeeds.
A recent poll by PeoplePolling, authorised by GB News, projected the lowest ever level of public support for the Tories.
As per the poll data, the Labour Party now boasts of a 39 point lead over the Conservative party.
Pollster Mad Goodwin in a tweet on Friday said, “NEW. *The Conservative Party falls to the lowest level of support in British polling history* Labour 53% Conservatives 14% Lib Dems 11%”.
Ex-Tory Cabinet Office Minister Sir David Lidington said Boris Johnson had his chance and shouldn’t be envisioning a political rebound.
Further reinforcing his view as to why the former PM shouldn’t look to be back at the helm of affairs, he said, “Boris Johnson has always been somebody who has focused on the big picture, not on detail.
“He is not really interested in the detail of governing and nor when he was prime minister did he appoint a couple of ministers with delegated authority on his behalf to get things done, instead we had bunches of aides in Number 10 busy briefing the media and shouting at each other most of the time.”
Addressing the political turmoil Uk is under, Liberal Democrat Politician Sir Ed Davey wants the Tory MPs to adhere to their political duty and call for a general election, which could be the way toward a. new beginning.
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