An in depth ally of Boris Johnson has mentioned he shouldn’t be written off as he hinted at a possible return to frontline politics for the PM sooner or later.
Lord Edward Lister was requested on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday about studies some MPs have been experiencing “seller’s remorse” over Mr Johnson’s departure and need him to make a comeback.
Lord Lister mentioned his colleagues “overreacted” to the scandals that led to the outgoing prime minister’s downfall, and it was mistaken to eliminate him.
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He mentioned Mr Johnson was “the best prime minister we’ve had”, including: “I think he would continue to be a good prime minister. I think he would be very successful in a further general election.”
When requested if he could be tempted to make a comeback, Lord Lister mentioned: “Well, maybe in the future, I’d never say never on anything with Boris Johnson, anything is possible in the future.”
He mentioned, “for now, we have a new leader” and the celebration should get behind whoever that will probably be – both Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak.
However, when pressed on whether or not Mr Johnson could attempt to return “if the ball comes loose at the top of the scrum”, Lord Lister mentioned: “Well, he is an amazing person. He is full of energy. He works extremely hard.
“He goes to be watching all this, and if one thing occurs sooner or later, as you mentioned, and the ball comes free within the scrum, then something can occur.
“I’m not going to predict, all I’m saying is I would never write him off.”
It was reported within the Sunday Mirror that at the least 12 Tory MPs are plotting to convey Mr Johnson again by Christmas by submitting no confidence letters within the new chief, who is predicted to be Ms Truss.
However, writing within the Sunday Express, Mr Johnson urged the celebration to maneuver ahead and unite behind whoever replaces him, as he backed each of the candidates’ talents.
Johnson comeback ‘a fantasy’
Meanwhile, former chancellor Lord Philip Hammond dismissed the concept of a political comeback as a “fantasy” as he hit out at Mr Johnson’s file as prime minister.
He instructed Sophy Ridge: “I think this is fantasy. I think Boris has not been a good prime minister, I think he’s damaged the office of prime minister, I think he’s damaged the Tory party.
“I feel Boris will little question have a really profitable profession in different fields sooner or later, and I feel he ought to transfer on and put apart any thought of hanging like a malevolent shadow over the subsequent authorities.”
Senior Tory MP David Davis additionally laughed off the concept of a Johnson comeback, saying these rumours “are probably coming from the Boris Johnson camp”.
He mentioned that if the mass exodus of ministers hadn’t compelled him to resign then “the very next week, the party would have held a no confidence vote in him”.
“He lost the confidence of the party, and I don’t think he’ll get that back in a hurry,” Mr Davis mentioned.
A Labour frontbencher additionally ridiculed the concept.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, shadow minister for worldwide commerce, mentioned: “It really does show the depths to which the Conservative Party has sunk and the fact they are so tired after 12 years in office.
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“That they’ve simply ousted a pacesetter after his flagrant disregard for COVID guidelines, after he confirmed, again and again, it was one rule for him and one other rule for the remainder of the inhabitants.
“It really does show now the Conservative Party has completely lost its way if they are saying credibly that they want to get rid of one leader, then try to have a leadership contest with others, then try and bring the other leader back.”
The nation will discover out on Monday if Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak will probably be handed the keys to Number 10.
The winner will formally take over on Tuesday, when Mr Johnson and his successor will journey to Balmoral in Scotland to fulfill the Queen.
Ms Truss has been forward within the polls all through the management race, and is broadly anticipated to develop into the subsequent prime minister.
Source: information.sky.com”