Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson jockeyed to make a comeback Friday as one of several contenders seeking to replace Liz Truss.
A selection of the front pages of British national newspapers showing the reaction the the resignation of Prime Minister Liz Truss, at a newsagents in central London, Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. British Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned Thursday, bowing to the inevitable after a tumultuous, short-lived term in which her policies triggered turmoil in financial markets and a rebellion in her party that obliterated her authority.
Leading the pack in lawmakers’ support, though yet to declare, is former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, who was runner-up to Truss for the leadership in the summer. Sunak, 42, lost despite repeatedly warning Conservatives that Truss’ tax-cutting plans would be disastrous — as proved to be the case. The former hedge-fund manager’s supporters consider him a steady hand for an ailing economy.
Johnson, 58, is still adored by some Conservatives as a vote winner with a rare common touch who led the party to a big election victory in 2019. He is more popular with the party’s grassroots than with lawmakers — and he is reviled by some for the chaos and scandal that marred his term in office. Former Conservative leader Michael Howard implored the party not to return to the “psychodrama” of the Johnson era.