According to a party colleague, British ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in the starting blocks for a renewed candidacy for the office at the top of the government. Johnson said he was “ready” and wanted to run, Conservative MP James Duddridge told Sky News on Friday night. Several media had previously reported that Johnson was interested in running for office.
Several cabinet members have already spoken out in favor of the 58-year-old returning. Johnson only resigned as prime minister at the beginning of September after numerous scandals. He is said to be returning from a vacation in the Caribbean.
Earlier, British Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Penny Mordaunt was the first to announce her candidacy to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss. “I have been heartened by the support of colleagues who want a fresh start, a united party and leadership in the national interest,” the Conservative politician said on Twitter on Friday. As party leader and prime minister, she wants to reunite the country.
In addition, she wants to implement the campaign promises made by the Tories and win the next general election, the 49-year-old Mordaunt continued. Truss announced her resignation on Thursday after just over six weeks in office. Who will succeed her is to be decided as early as next week. Applicants need the support of at least 100 MPs. When voting in the parliamentary group, two finalists should then be determined, who will face the vote of the party base in an online election.
Mordaunt, who had already applied for the post of prime minister after the resignation of Truss’ predecessor Johnson in the summer, was third in the number of her supporters on Friday, behind ex-Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and ex-Prime Minister Johnson, according to the British media. Until then, none of the three had reached the necessary support threshold. (apa)