As the nation anxiously awaits the announcement of a general election, hints of Boris Johnson’s return are causing a stir, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines.
In the run-up to the forthcoming general election, are we about to see Boris Johnson making a comeback? If reports in the Express are to be believed, Johnson is the Conservative Party’s secret weapon. Or at least, in the eyes of his supporters.
Boris Johnson set for big general election comeback in bid to rescue Tories https://t.co/CJ6qWeYZ4N
— LORIAGNE GLAUCOMA! NOT SHOUTING! (@Loriagne2) March 12, 2024
The suggestion is for Johnson to be “deployed” in red wall seats in the north of England and the Midlands, making speeches and appearing on leaflets in marginal constituencies. A government source said:
“Don’t expect Boris to appear on stage with Rishi – that’s not going to happen – but he is up for it. The relationship is in a fairly good place.”
Whilst there have been reports suggesting a thawing of relations between Johnson and Rishi Sunak, these have been disputed by one of Johnson’s most loyal supporters, Nadine Dorries. Not only is there no thawing of relations, she says, but there are “no plans to campaign”. She added that “Sunak had not spoken to Johnson for over a year”. The country should be so lucky!
This story has been panic placed by No10 – probably by Issac Levido in a desperate attempt to halt any further defections to Reform.
There’s no thawing of relations, no plans to campaign. Sunak not spoken to Johnson for over a year. https://t.co/VdOqNNOFuT
— Rt Hon Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) March 12, 2024
The Johnson hokey-cokey
As for Johnson’s relationship with parliament, he has form for having a one-foot-in, one-foot-out position. Not only has he resigned twice as an MP, but even as PM he was often AWOL from Westminster and his prime-ministerial duties, even in times of crisis.
Johnson resigned as MP for Henley-on-Thames in June 2008, following his election as London mayor. His second resignation, as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, came in June 2023, just four years after leading the Conservative Party to an 80-seat majority in parliament. This resignation came after a series of political scandals – in particular following the Partygate inquiry – described by Johnson as a “witch-hunt”. But in true Terminator style, at the time, he pledged “I’ll be back”.
This latest move in the Johnson hokey-cokey may not, however, just consist of his deployment in red wall constituencies. He may also be looking to return to his former safe seat in Henley and may have even higher ambitions.
The former PM is mooted for a return to his old seat, but frenemy David Cameron could be in the way of any grand comeback plans… https://t.co/4V4yq4lgEO
— Camilla Tominey (@CamillaTominey) March 9, 2024
Rowing back up the Thames
In May 2023, Johnson bought a £3.8mn, nine-bedroom mansion in Oxfordshire, close to his former Henley constituency. Ever since, there has been speculation he has his sights set on a return to his former seat – the current MP, John Howell, having announced his decision to step down just one month earlier. Now new rumours are circulating that Johnson and his supporters have a plan to return their hero to Henley, at the very least.
In a recent article in the Telegraph, a “secret plan for Boris to take back the Tory Party”, was revealed. The ‘Henley plot’ sees Johnson’s reinstatement as an MP as the first step towards his return as leader of the Conservative Party. Presumably – in the eyes of his delusional supporters, this would not only save the party from self-inflicted destruction but see Johnson back as PM as well.
Losing the plot
The ‘bring back Boris’ proposition may have seemed like a good one on paper, but the plot has hit a snag. That snag comes in the shape of Caroline Newton, recently selected by the party to stand in the Henley constituency. Johnson’s plotters may have assumed that she would simply step aside to make way for the ‘Big Dog’, but Newton was having none of it.
Conservative Prospective Candidate for Henley Caroline Newton, on the idea of standing aside for Boris Johnson, tells LBC: “Absolutely not… the idea that a woman would step aside for a man to take a job that he just fancies is absurd” @LBC @TomSwarbrick1
— Natasha Clark (@NatashaC) March 11, 2024
When asked on LBC whether she would consider making way for Johnson, Newton said, “Absolutely not”. She added that “the idea that a woman should step aside for a man to take a job that he just fancies is absurd. And it’s certainly not something I’m going to do”. Newton also pointed out that she has been a candidate representing the local communities, as a councillor, for a decade and if asked, would say “thank you for the thought, but no thank you”.
According to Johnson, the qualities needed to be a good MP for Henley are a willingness to listen and patience – neither of which anyone who has ever met him, watched him or listened to him would suggest he possesses. He described the people of Henley as “the nicest, kindest, most wonderful and indeed eccentric people in Britain”. As a newly re-registered overseas voter in the Henley constituency, I’ll take that – and most everything Johnson has to say – with a very large bucket of salt.
Above all, said Johnson, “the quality you need to represent the people of Henley is to be a Conservative”. But what, exactly, does being “a Conservative” even mean anymore? Not what it once did, that’s for sure, and certainly not what the electorate regard as a vote-winner, whether you live in Henley or Halifax.
Still, not to worry, Boris. I’m sure the Reform UK Party would welcome you with open arms, and you’d feel right at home. Perhaps they’ll even let you run in Henley. You have, after all, done untold damage to the Conservative Party, and the country, already. So why not break the habit of a lifetime and finish what you started?
