Boris Johnson is expected to run for prime minister again
Boris Johnson is expected to stand in the upcoming Tory leadership contest and could become prime minister again after the resignation of Liz Truss.
Truss replaced Johnson after he quit Downing Street and now The Times political editor Steven Swinford has said Johnson is 'expected to stand' in the contest to replace her.
The prime minister announced today (20 October) that she was going to be leaving the role just 44 days after entering Downing Street, making hers the shortest time in office as prime minister in British history.
She will stay in office for a few more days while the Conservative party sorts out who will be the next leader and prime minister.
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While Labour demands a general election, the Tories are planning to have a new prime minister in place before the fiscal statement on October 31.
Just 24 hours after she described herself as 'a fighter, not a quitter', Liz delivered an address outside of No. 10 Downing Street, announcing that she had informed the King she was resigning as Tory leader.
The ex-PM said she recognised she 'cannot deliver the mandate' which Tory members gave her a little over six weeks ago when she replaced Boris Johnson.
Her announcement followed talks with the chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservatives, Sir Graham Brady, where it became clear she could not carry on.
The Prime Minister, accompanied by her husband Hugh O’Leary, said a short leadership contest 'will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plan and maintain our country’s economic stability and national security'.
“I will remain as Prime Minister until a successor has been chosen.”
As Conservatives rush to find Liz's replacement, people are speculating that Boris Johnson could potentially be in the running to make a return to Downing Street.
Fuelling the rumours, Sir James Duddridge, who worked as Johnson's parliamentary private secretary (PPS), wrote on Twitter today: "Hope you enjoyed your extended holiday. It is time to come back, Boris."
But Conservative MP Sir Robert Syms has described the idea of Boris running for the Tory leadership as "a fantasy", tweeting: "The number for nomination will be lifted to limit runners and there will be massive pressure on the second candidate in MPs ballot to drop out."
Meanwhile, deputy leader of the Lib Dems Daisy Cooper has urged Tory MPs to block Boris from returning.
"The fact that Conservative MPs are even considering putting Boris Johnson back in Number 10 shows how out of touch they really are. They think there’s one rule for them and another for everyone else.
"Boris Johnson was forced to resign in disgrace after countless lies, scandals and failures. He shattered public trust in the government and plunged the UK into a political crisis. He must never be allowed near Downing Street again."
Topics: Boris Johnson, UK News, Politics, News
Joe Harker