Boris Johnson is eyeing up a political comeback as five of his allies claim he is growing “bored” of life away from Westminster.
The former Prime Minister believes there is “unfinished business” and is “watching and waiting” on how British politics unfolds, The Telegraph reports.
Friends say that while Johnson is enjoying time with family and writing, he has been keeping his hand in politics behind the scenes.
When contacted, the ex PM dismissed the idea of a return, saying: “I’m working flat out on writing some books and building a new kitchen.”
Friends say that while Johnson is enjoying time with family and writing, he has been keeping his hand in politics behind the scenes
Even those who believe he harbours hopes of a comeback admit it is “fifty-fifty” about whether it will happen, with Johnson himself said to not have made up his mind.
The Conservatives are currently facing a significant electoral challenge, with Reform UK leading opinion polls at 27 per cent.
Labour stands in second place at 25 per cent, while the Tories have slipped to third at 21 per cent.
This mirrors a similar situation in 2019 when the Conservatives faced an existential threat from Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party.
At that time, the Tories elected Johnson as leader, who then struck a crucial pact with Farage.
That agreement saw Brexit Party candidates stand down in Conservative-held seats, helping secure a sizeable majority for the Tories.
Recent polling from Savanta shows Johnson’s approval rating has improved to -17 points, better than both Liz Truss (-45) and Rishi Sunak (-22).
The ex PM dismissed the idea of a return, saying: “I’m working flat out on writing some books and building a new kitchen”
One of Johnson’s former cabinet ministers told The Telegraph: “If Reform keeps going the way they’re going in the polls it’s going to be immensely painful.”
The source added: “When the party looks for a Hail Mary, they tend to look at Boris.”
Another longtime ally said Johnson remains the only Conservative figure who can match Farage’s media presence.
“It is true we don’t have anyone on the Tory front line at the moment who has Farage’s personality and reach into the media,” the source said.
A third ally was equally emphatic: “I still think he is the only one who can take on Farage and Reform. He is still an absolutely brilliant politician.”
Johnson recently warned Conservatives they will not attract voters by trying to “cannibalise the strength” of Reform.
He pointedly noted Reform was on “zero per cent when I was running the show.”
Johnson recently warned Conservatives they will not attract voters by trying to “cannibalise the strength” of Reform
Johnson would need to win a parliamentary seat to enable any comeback, having resigned as an MP in 2023 over partygate.
This would require approval from current Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who has final say over candidate selections.
Some allies believe this wouldn’t prove insurmountable if a local Tory association backed his return.
The former prime minister is currently attending the Munich security conference, where Western leaders are discussing Ukraine’s future.
The Telegraph understands the former Prime Minister has held multiple calls with Donald Trump and maintains contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He has also reached out to at least two former cabinet ministers for policy discussions in recent weeks.
Richard Mills, former chairman of Johnson’s Uxbridge constituency association, said he would support a comeback, though personally thought it unlikely.
