As Liz Truss resigns UK PM post, Boris Johnsons name lurks in shadows

Liz Truss resigned as UK’s prime minister as well
as Tory leader on Wednesday, October 20. Elected in September, Truss served the
UK PM’s post for only 45 days, the lowest in history. The 47-year-old leader’s
resignation came after a turmoil over her now-abandoned mini-budget. A chaotic
night in the UK’s House of Commons sealed her fate, BBC reported.

With Liz Truss gone, there is immediate speculation
about who will succeed her. Several names are doing the rounds, including that
of Rishi Sunak, the candidate Truss defeated to score the post in September,
and Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons. However, one name that
is making headlines singularly by featuring in the list is that of Boris Johnson.
It was Johnson’s resignation that prompted the Tories to elect a new leader earlier
this year.

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Nadine Dorris, a Johnson Loyalist and the former
culture secretary, said Thursday that Boris was the “only one person” who had
been elected by the British public with a manifesto and mandate till January
2025. “MP’s must demand (the) return of Boris Johnson – if not it has to be
leadership election or GE.”

James Duddridge, UK’s minister of state for international
trade, tweeted: “I hope you enjoyed your holiday boss,” referring to Johnson.
Duddridge had also served as Johnson’s private secretary. “Time to come back.
Few issues at the office need addressing,” he wrote further finishing his tweet
with #bringbackboris.

That Boris’ name is doing the rounds again has not
gone down well with all stakeholders of the UK government. The Liberal
Democrats, in fact, have called for Boris Johnson to be barred from contesting
the Conservative Leadership election.

“The fact that Conservative MPs are even
considering putting Boris back in Number 10 shows how out of touch with reality
they really are. They think there’s one rule for them and another for everyone
else,” said Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats.

The Labour Party too has taken a very stern stance
on the possibility of a Johnson return. Labour leader Sir Keith Starmer a
return of Boris Johnson would “add insult to injury for the public.” He further
said Labour has a manifesto to go for when there is a general election.