Rumours swirl in Westminster: Boris Johnson might return to the House of Commons. But is this flamboyant former prime minister really the Tory cavalry?
🤔 “Mission accomplished—hasta la vista, baby”
Johnson’s final Commons words in 2022 still spark debate. He said:
“Mission largely accomplished—for now. Hasta la vista, baby.”
Did he hint at a future return? Critics once scoffed. Then he quit as an MP in 2023 after being found to have lied over Partygate.
📉 Tories in trouble
Now, the Conservatives sit fourth in the polls. Kemi Badenoch falters as leader. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK surges. Some Tories think only Boris can save the day.
📣 Johnson fans fan the flames
Johnson leapt back into the headlines by lambasting Keir Starmer’s EU deal, calling him “the orange ball-chewing manacled gimp of Brussels.” Tory papers loved it. Even former Tory-turned-Reformer Tim Montgomerie said on Times Radio:
“A big beast of the jungle, namely Boris Johnson, is definitely on the march.”
📊 Mixed polling on a return
A More in Common survey said the Tories would lead again if Boris returned. Yet Ipsos finds him divisive:
- 26% view him favourably (second only to Farage).
- 52% view him unfavourably.
Director Keiran Pedley cautions: “He might not be the election-winning weapon he once was.”
⚔️ Partygate and Pincher hangover
Johnson’s downfall began with Partygate. Then came the Chris Pincher scandal, prompting dozens of ministers to quit. His own party ousted him. Many MPs doubt they’d welcome him back.
👥 Colleagues split
One veteran MP says:
“He had his go. He blew it. Unlike Churchill, he won’t be back.”
But a Johnson ally counters:
“Many MPs would offer their seats to him. Yet he’d have to lead the same parliamentary party that dethroned him.”
🗳️ The only route back
In the UK’s system, a comeback means winning a seat and the party’s support. With bad blood lingering, could Boris muster the appetite? Or would he face a bruising battle with MPs who feel betrayed?
🔮 The verdict
If Boris Johnson truly holds the key to rescuing the Conservatives, the party must be in dire straits. For now, “hasta la vista” remains a theatrical sign-off—rather than a trailer for a sequel.
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