Will Former Prime Minister Johnson Make a Comeback...Urgently Returns Home During Vacation

"Supported by 100 Conservative MPs... Meets UK Prime Minister Candidate Registration Requirements"

(Photo by Reuters)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who resigned three years after his inauguration due to the 'official residence drinking party,' has emerged as the frontrunner among candidates for the next prime minister, the British BBC reported on the 22nd (local time).

Johnson cut short his vacation in the Dominican Republic and arrived at London Gatwick Airport on the same day. It is known that Johnson is considering running for election, aiming for a comeback after Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned.

After Johnson returned to London, Conservative Party MP James Duddridge posted on Twitter that Johnson had secured support from more than 100 supporters.

To run in the leadership election to select the Conservative Party leader, who also serves as prime minister, a candidate must receive support from at least 100 of the 357 Conservative MPs.

BBC and Sky News, citing anonymous sources, reported that Johnson has met the candidate registration requirements.

Johnson ultimately resigned after the Brexit aftermath, various corruption allegations, and the revelation that he held a drinking party at the prime minister's official residence during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Although voices within the Conservative Party are calling for his return, Johnson himself has not expressed any intention to run.

Among Conservative MPs who led Johnson's ousting, there is strong opposition, arguing that his return would cause even greater political turmoil, as he was the main cause of the party's confusion.

Former Conservative Party leader William Hague warned, "Johnson's return could lead to a vortex of death," and Deputy Foreign Minister Jesse Norman said, "Johnson's return would be an absolutely disastrous decision."

A three-way race is expected for the next prime minister position, involving Johnson, former Prime Minister Truss, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, and House Leader Penny Mordaunt.

So far, former Chancellor Sunak has secured support from over 100 MPs alone but has not yet officially declared his candidacy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.