The announcement came just 90 minutes after Liz Truss announced her resignation in front of Downing Street: Boris Johnson was considering running again for the Tory leadership and planned to return from his Caribbean holiday to Westminster.
Cincinnatus, it seemed, was ready for his comeback.
Yet, as historian Mary Beard pointed out when the former prime minister referred to the Roman dictator in his own resignation speech to Number 10 in July, despite him saving the country from invasion in the 5th century BC, “ he was also an enemy of the people.”
Could one of the most divisive politicians in recent Conservative memory really return to lead his fractured party into the next general election?
While this may have worked for his hero, Sir Winston Churchill, Mr Johnson must not only neutralize his opponents but also galvanize his supporters.
It would be difficult for any politician in these circumstances, but when you add the fact that Mr Johnson is in a marginal position and facing an investigation by the Privileges Committee, then it looks quite a tall order even for the man David Cameron once called ” the greased pig” ” for his unusual ability to get out of difficult situations.
The way back
With some backbenchers already threatening to resign or walk over if Mr Johnson returns to the despatch box, the 58-year-old’s best hope of uniting the Tories appears to be on a joint ticket with Rishi Sunak.
By bringing the group back together, the pair could offer the Conservatives both a prime minister with a proven track record as an effective campaigner – and a deputy that markets can trust. (With Jeremy Hunt pulling out of the leadership race as he continues to prepare the Halloween fiscal report, it is thought he will remain chancellor for fear of causing more economic anxiety).
However, the idea is not without pitfalls. For starters, there is no love lost between the former occupants of No 10 and No 11 after Mr Sunak’s resignation led to Mr Johnson’s death in the summer. The former prime minister’s supporters, including most of the European Research Group (ERG), have still not forgiven the former chancellor for this; in fact, they see it as a catalyst for the current crisis.
Although Mr Sunack has been encouraged by the likes of David Davies to campaign on a joint campaign with Penny Mordaunt as his deputy prime minister, he knows he needs the support of the right to avoid the Tories spending the next two years running of self-eating.
He can claim that as a “lifelong, not just Christmas, Brexiteer” he has the Leavers’ backs – but according to several ERG members, they remain unlikely to be convinced. “He is looked upon as the supreme puppet of the establishment,” said one. Another added: “He’s a terrible campaigner and he proved that during the last leadership race. He has the wrong character. He gets nervous and defensive right away.”
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