Boris Johnson 'expected to stand' in race to return as Conservative leader and Prime Minister

Boris Johnson is expected to stand in the Conservative leadership contest, it has been reported.

According to the Times newspaper, Johnson believes it to be a “matter of national interest”.

It comes after Liz Truss announced her resignation as Prime Minister on Thursday.

Close ally of Johnson, Nadine Dorries, earlier said that MPs must “demand” the return of Johnson.

“If Liz Truss is no longer PM there can be no coronation of previously failed candidates”, she said ahead of the announcement by Truss outside No 10.

One person was elected by the British public with a manifesto and a mandate until January ‘25.
If Liz Truss is no longer PM there can be no coronation of previously failed candidates.

MPs must demand return of @BorisJohnson – if not it has to be leadership election or a GE.
— Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) October 20, 2022

“MPs must demand return of @BorisJohnson if not it has to be leadership or a GE.”

She added: “It is inconceivable that we could continue to face the world parading the notion that we are a democracy.

“A coronation is the transfer of power out of the hands of the people and into the offices of a few already extremely powerful men in grey suits. It would be an abomination.”

Johnson is currently understood to be on holiday in the Caribbean.

I hope you enjoyed your holiday boss. Time to come back. Few issues at the office that need addressing. #bringbackboris
— James Duddridge MP (@JamesDuddridge) October 20, 2022

Johnson-backer James Duddridge MP said: “I hope you enjoyed your holiday boss. Time to come back. Few issues at the office that need addressing. #bringbackboris”

The Times said Johnson is sounding out allies before entering the race.

Speaking from a lectern in Downing Street, Truss said she had told the King she was resigning as the leader of the Conservative Party.

There will now be a leadership election to be completed within the next week she said, after speaking to the leader of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, in No 10.

Penny Mordaunt is the first to formally declare her entrance to the race as she warned it was “make or break time”.

Other contenders could be former chancellor and Truss leadership debate rival Rishi Sunak.

New chancellor Jeremy Hunt will not be standing, a spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg.

Candidates to replace Truss as Conservative leader will need at least 100 nominations from MPs.

It sets a high bar for those seeking to win the contest and is in contrast to the summer election during which candidates only needed 20 named Conservative MPs to back them in order to enter the contest.

Jake Berry, the chairman of the Conservative Party, stated that if the party decides to put forward two candidates, an expedited, binding, online vote of members will take place to choose the next leader.

With 357 Conservative MPs in the House of Commons, there could be a maximum of three candidates.

But whether enough MPs can coalesce around even one hopeful remains up in the air.