Conservative MPs have warned that the party could split if Boris Johnson returns as leader following the dramatic resignation of Liz Truss after just 45 days as prime minister.
After six weeks of turmoil culminating in her sacking her chancellor and home secretary within days of one another, Ms Truss conceded that she could not “deliver the mandate” on which she was elected.
She will hand over to a new prime minister by 28 October – next Friday – with her departure brought forward to Monday if Tory MPs are able to unite behind a single candidate for leader and avoid the need for a ballot of party members.
Close allies of former chancellor Rishi Sunak told The Independent that he will be on the ballot paper, after missing out to Ms Truss in a vote of around 170,000 members over the summer.
Others expected to join him include leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt and former home secretary Suella Braverman, with speculation also revolving around possible bids by trade secretary Kemi Badenoch or home secretary Grant Shapps. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, foreign secretary James Cleverly and defence secretary Ben Wallace have indicated they will not stand.
Hopefuls must clear the high bar of 100 MPs’ nominations by Monday, meaning no more than three candidates can enter the race, with Tory MPs whittling the number down to two in a vote that day before the final choice goes to members in an online ballot closing on 28 October.
If MPs unite behind a single candidate there will be a “coronation” on Monday. And crucially, there will be an indicative vote by MPs on the final two contenders, so that members have a clear understanding of which candidate commands the support of the parliamentary party.
Ms Truss will remain prime minister until her successor as Conservative leader is chosen.
It was Mr Johnson’s intentions which dominated conversation in the Westminster tearooms, after allies let it be known he was sounding out friends over a return to the leadership.
The former prime minister – who still faces an inquiry into whether he lied to parliament over the Partygate scandal – wants to “finish the job” he started, a key ally said.
The prospect of a second Johnson premiership just two months after he gave up the keys to No 10 was cheered by supporters on the Tory benches.
MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said he was “the only person who can dig us out of this mess”, while former culture secretary Nadine Dorries hailed him as “the one person elected by the British public with a manifesto and a mandate until January ‘25”.
In a Twitter message to the former premier, believed to be on a Caribbean break, Conservative MP James Dudderidge said: “I hope you enjoyed your holiday Boris. Time to come back. Few issues at the office that need addressing.”
But veteran backbencher Sir Roger Gale, the first MP to declare he had submitted a letter of no confidence in Johnson, told The Independent: ”While he is under investigation for misleading the House, there is no way he should be considered for any government position, never mind prime minister.
“He would be just as divisive as he previously was – we want a unity candidate, not a division candidate.”
Sir Roger said that “quite a few” MPs could be expected to refuse to take the Tory whip if Johnson returned.
And another backbencher said he knew of at least one colleague who would cross the floor to Labour rather than serve under Johnson.
Meanwhile, former cabinet minister David Davis said that “a lot of people would be worried about the party” if the ex-PM returned.
He told The Independent: “We want credibility in the markets. Is he going to give us that? We want the technical capability to fix the health service. Is he going to give us that? We want to draw on talent from across the party. Having appointed a very narrow cabinet, is he going to give us that?”
