Status: 10/21/2022 2:21 p.m
The British Conservative Party is once again looking for a prime ministerial candidate after months of chaos. There is one question in the room: Will Boris Johnson get a second chance?
After the resignation of British Prime Minister Liz Truss, the race for her successor has picked up speed. Within the Conservative Party, a dispute over the candidacy of former Prime Minister and Truss predecessor Boris Johnson is emerging. The favorites were former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, and from the right-wing conservative camp, Interior Minister Suella Braverman, who only resigned on Wednesday.
Official applications are eagerly awaited in London. Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg became the first cabinet member to support Johnson’s return to the post of prime minister. “I’m backing Boris” (“I support Boris”), the Brexit hardliner, who is considered eccentric, tweeted on Friday. He also provided his tweet with the hashtag #BORISorBUST (in German: Boris or to break).
An investigation is still ongoing against Johnson
According to reports, ex-Prime Minister Johnson, who only left office at the beginning of September due to numerous scandals, is said to be interested in running for office again. His successor, Truss, announced her resignation on Thursday after just 45 days in office. However, it was initially unclear whether Johnson would receive enough support in the group. In addition, an investigation is currently underway in Parliament to clarify whether Johnson lied in connection with the Partygate affair about prohibited lockdown celebrations at 10 Downing Street, the seat of government.
Nominations can be received until Monday afternoon
A new head of government should be elected by October 28 at the latest. According to the party, candidates need the backing of at least 100 MPs to run. Nominations can be received until Monday (3:00 p.m. CEST).
If more than two candidates take this hurdle, voting in the parliamentary group should still be screened out. If there are two finalists after that, the party base can decide between them in an online vote during the week.
Will Johnson get the votes he needs?
However, it is also possible that the decision will be made earlier if one of the two finalists withdraws voluntarily. That could speak for Johnson. Former culture minister Nadine Dorries, a friend of Johnson, described the former prime minister as a winner. Sky News quoted a cabinet member as saying Johnson was able to get the votes needed to run.
But there are also determined opponents of a Johnson return. The 58-year-old is not the type to restore the party’s image, Tory MP Crispin Blunt told Sky News. MP Roger Gale announced he would resign from the party if Johnson moved back to Downing Street.
Liberals call for Truss’s allowance to be scrapped
Truss’ resignation was triggered by market turbulence due to her radical economic program, which had also met with sharp criticism from within her own ranks.
The leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, has called for Truss not to receive the £115,000 a year allowance that is customary for former prime ministers. “Working 45 days shouldn’t give you a pension that’s a multiple of what ordinary people out there get after a lifetime of work,” Davey told LBC radio.