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Boris Johnson seeks MPs’ backing in bid to return to No 10

Boris Johnson on Sunday frantically sought to rally Conservative MPs to back his bid for a comeback, as allies insisted he had the 100 nominations needed to run in the run-up to the election. Britain’s next prime minister.

Tory MPs must decide by 2pm on Monday whether to put Johnson, who was forced out of office in July following a series of scandals, on the ballot to succeed Liz Truss as party leader.

Rishi Sunak, the former prime minister, has become the clear favorite to win, while Johnson’s opponents claim the former prime minister is struggling to secure the backing of 100 MPs.

Over the course of Sunday, Johnson gained only a handful of newly publicized supporters – an FT tracker only 52 confirmed supporters as of 7pm – while Sunak has 138.

But Chris Heaton-Harris, Northern Ireland secretary and former Johnson campaign executive, told colleagues on Sunday night that he had some “very good news” and that he had “verified it all” both nominations, with the proponent and the second” for Johnson to be voted on on Monday.

Some Tory MPs doubt Johnson has these numbers. In what some MPs see as a sign of despair, the former prime minister on Sunday afternoon urged Penny Mordauntthird candidate, give up her leadership bid and support him.

Mordaunt, who has fewer than 30 confirmed supporters, told Johnson he could not unite the party, according to her supporters. One person said: “There’s a growing feeling that he doesn’t have numbers.” Mordaunt insists she could make the final shortlist of two as a unified candidate.

If neither Mordaunt nor Johnson reach 100 nominations by 2pm on Monday, Sunak will become the next Tory leader and the country’s third prime minister in a few weeks. Sunak is considered by investors to be the most economically viable candidate.

On Sunday, Sunak officially confirmed he would enter the contest, after dismissing Johnson’s suggestion that he stand aside so they could compete for a joint ticket.

“I have a delivery track record, a clear plan to fix the biggest problems we face, and I’ll live up to the promise in the 2019 manifesto.” Sunak tweeted.

In a clear look at Johnson’s chaotic government style, he added: “There will be integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level of the government I lead.”

But one of Johnson’s most prominent supporters, business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg, insists a final vote among party members on the two-man shortlist – which will end on Wednesday. Six – will see the former prime minister return to Downing Street. “It’s all systems,” he said.

Since returning from a holiday in the Caribbean on Saturday morning, Johnson has made no public comment nor – unlike Sunak and Mordaunt – he has officially announced that he will stand.

Some Tory MPs are worried about publicly supporting Johnson, fearing they could be overrated and dry if the former prime minister decides to pull out of the election later.

Rishi Sunak in central London on Sunday

Rishi Sunak in central London on Sunday: ‘There will be integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level of government I lead.’ © Daniel Leal / AFP / Getty Images

In a blow to Johnson, Suella Braverman, a former home secretary and Brexit campaigner, removed her right to run for office and gave her support to Sunak.

“We, as a party, need to change,” Braverman Written in the Daily Telegraph. “We need to provide leadership, stability and confidence to the British people. We cannot indulge in nationalist or nativist fantasies. “

In an 8am video call on Sunday morning, Johnson urged his supporters to continue the hunt for MPs supporting him. “He’s in good spirits,” a Tory MP said on the call.

James Cleverly, foreign secretary and a former ally of Johnson, backed the former prime minister on Sunday afternoon. “I know Boris has learned his lessons from his time at No10 and will ensure his focus on the needs of the country from day one.” he tweeted.

Mordaunt insists she will also secure 100 nominations, but says: “I don’t share my collected data.” She added: “I’m very confident about our numbers.” She denied discovering a non-aggression pact with Johnson.

If Johnson delivers the ballot and a final shortlist of two, many Tory MPs believe he could win the election, as he remains popular with grassroots activists.

But Steve Baker, the former head of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, says Johnson’s return needs to be avoided at all costs. “It was a nailed-down failure – we couldn’t allow it to happen,” he said.

Baker and other Sunak supporters point out that Johnson still faces a parliamentary inquiry into whether he lied to MPs about “party”. If found guilty, Johnson could be suspended from parliament and even face a by-election in his Uxbridge constituency.

Dominic Raab, another Sunak supporter, says partygate and questions about Johnson’s character will soon dominate the news once again. “Over the next few days, he will be watching witness testimony on television, including his own,” he said.




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