The former PM avoids direct criticism but makes clear that he is not always happy with the current PM and - should the question, perhaps, ever come up - he could do a better job
Mr Johnson never criticises his former protégé directly, but he does enough to make it clear that heand – should the question, perhaps, ever come up – that he could do a better job. A number of Tory MPs are highly receptive to that message and indeed think he should never have been toppled, even if for now they are easily outnumbered by those who are loyal to Mr Sunak.
The former prime minister is the best-known politician in Britain, the only one with 100 per cent name recognition in YouGov polls. He may be well placed to play a similar role to Margaret Thatcher, who never let John Major settle and was always ready to explain just how she would have done things instead.
But, if he never gets over his own departure from office, he risks ending up a Ted Heath instead, whose “incredible sulk” act tarnished his reputation for decades. It may be the bank balance that decides Mr Johnson’s future. He is raking in millions from speaking engagements and his autobiography – would he really want to give that up for the grind of being prime minister again – or, worse, leader of the opposition?
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.
Boris Johnson warns Rishi Sunak of 'great mistake' if he abandons Northern Ireland Protocol BillAs well as the potential mutiny by the former PM, senior pro-Brexit Conservative MPs are warning of a massive Tory rebellion if Mr Sunak's deal keeps a role for the European Court of Justice.
Read more »
Rishi Sunak warned by Boris Johnson that dropping NI Protocol Bill would be 'great mistake'Rishi Sunak has been warned by former-PM Boris Johnson that it would be a 'great mistake' to drop the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill in favour of a new Brexit deal.
Read more »
What Boris Johnson has said about Northern Ireland protocol as Rishi Sunak nears deal with EUBoris Johnson has urged Rishi Sunak not to abandon legislation he introduced on Northern Ireland's post-Brexit trade
Read more »
Boris accused of trying to wreck Rishi's Northern Ireland post-Brexit deal'Boris is being Boris.' Boris Johnson has been accused of attempting to sabotage Rishi Sunak's post-Brexit trade deal with Northern Ireland.
Read more »
Boris Johnson's intervention on Sunak's Brexit deal 'not completely unhelpful', Mordaunt saysCommons Leader Penny Mordaunt has said Boris Johnson’s calls for the government not to drop the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill are “helpful” to remind the EU of its importance
Read more »