The former prime minister, who was forced to resign three months ago after a series of scandals in his government, returned from a vacation in the Dominican Republic and two days later, his successor, Liz Truss, announced her own resignation.
Truss left office six weeks into office after an economic plan that rattled the markets and split the Conservative Party. He became the third head of government to resign since Britain voted to leave the European Union (EU) and the shortest tenure in the country’s history – just 45 days.
Some of Johnson’s allies have already said he has enough support within the party to try to return to power, even if he is still a controversial figure among conservatives.
Even former Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said on Saturday that he could not see how the former prime minister could be reinstated because he was the subject of an investigation into illegal parties by his office at the headquarters of the British government. Violation of restrictions imposed at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But according to reports published by the Sunday Times and the BBC and Sky News broadcasters, his allies are guaranteeing him the votes of more than 100 lawmakers in his favor, which would allow his name to be put forward for the leadership. party and, consequently, to the post of prime minister.
Rishi Sunak returns to controversy
Another contender for the post is former finance minister Rishi Sunak, a 42-year-old ex-banker who was defeated by Liz Truss in the final round of the Conservative Party leader’s nomination a few weeks ago.
On Friday, his allies had already said he would have the support of more than 100 legislators, breaking the limit imposed by party rules.
Sunak has in his favor the fact that he is a man of budgetary orthodoxy. But his subsequent major asset foresaw that Truss’ proposed tax cuts would undermine confidence in markets in the UK and create chaos.
Truss faced heavy criticism for announcing an economic package centered mainly on tax cuts, which sank the pound and caused him and the Conservative Party’s approval ratings to slide.
But Sunak has a major flaw: Many Conservatives cannot forgive him for leaving Johnson’s government last July. His departure triggered a wave of ministerial resignations that accelerated the then prime minister’s downfall.
Sunak, the son of Indian parents who attended the private school Winchester College and elite training at Oxford, was defeated in the election by Truss, winning 60,399 votes to 81,326 for his opponent.
The vote to decide who will be Britain’s new Prime Minister will be held on October 28.
RC (AP, Reuters)
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