read moreIn what would be an extraordinary comeback, Johnson, who was ousted by lawmakers just over three months ago, was running high up the ranks alongside Sunak to be crowned the next prime minister. "Boris Johnson is the character the Labour Party fears, Boris Johnson can win the next general election," he said. But Will Walden, who also worked for Johnson, told Sky News the former prime minister was returning from holiday and was taking soundings. Running in third is Penny Mordaunt, a former defence minister popular with Conservative Party members. 1/5 Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak walk out of Downing Street, in London, Britain, December 1, 2021.

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