Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Sunday he will not run to lead the Conservative Party, ending a short-lived, high-profile attempt to return to the prime minister’s job he was ousted from little more than three months ago.
LONDON —
Johnson spent the weekend trying to gain support from fellow Conservative lawmakers after flying back from a Caribbean vacation and held talks with the two other contenders, Sunak and House of Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt. The prospect of a return by Johnson had thrown the already divided Conservative Party into further turmoil. He led the party to a thumping election victory in 2019, but his premiership was clouded by scandals over money and ethics that eventually became too much for the party to bear.
But he hinted he might be back, saying: “I believe I have much to offer but I am afraid that this is simply not the right time.” If both make the ballot, the 357 Conservative lawmakers will hold an indicative vote on Monday to show their preference before the choice goes to the 172,000 party members around the country. If Mordaunt does not reach 100 nominations, Sunak will win by acclamation.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former British Treasury Chief Rishi Sunak Inching Closer To Becoming The Next UK Prime MinisterBoris Johnson, who resigned as PM in July, is still mulling a run.
Read more »
U.K. prime minister: Sunak leads race; former leader Boris Johnson decides not to runFormer British Treasury chief Rishi Sunak is the frontrunner in the Conservative Party’s race to replace Liz Truss as prime minister.
Read more »
Johnson returns to UK amid rumors he will run for leaderThe lightning-fast race to replace Liz Truss as British Prime Minister got even wilder Saturday as former leader Boris Johnson jetted back to the U.K amid speculation he will run to reclaim his former job. Johnson was ousted by a series of ethics scandals just three months ago, but boarded a flight back to London from his vacation in the Dominican Republic, days after the dramatic resignation of his successor, Liz Truss. Former Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, said Saturday morning that it was “difficult to see” how Johnson could become prime minister again when he is “absorbed and distracted” by an ongoing inquiry into alleged parties at Downing Street while the rest of the country was observing COVID-19 lockdown rules, and Johnson’s statements to parliament afterward.
Read more »
Former British Treasury chief Rishi Sunak leads race to be next prime minister; Boris Johnson says he won’t runFormer British Treasury chief Rishi Sunak was the frontrunner in the Conservative Party’s race to replace Liz Truss as prime minister, garnering public support of over 100 Tory lawmakers.
Read more »