Boris Johnson’s Second Act? The Debate Continues
LONDON – When the former Prime Minister’s term ended on Friday, the rumor mill never hit the brakes. A longtime adviser, Edward “Eddie” Lister, gave Sky News a wink and said, “Never say never about Boris. Anything’s possible.” In other words, the red‑button is still warm enough that the watch‑dog may swing it again, should the political wind shift.
Who’s Popping Up the Cabinet Chair Next?
- Liz Truss – the current foreign minister, the likely heir apparent in the Conservative leadership race.
- What’s on the Horizon – A looming recession, double‑digit inflation, and industrial unrest are the ticking time bombs awaiting the new prime minister.
Strap in for the Rollercoaster
“He’s going to be watching all this, and if something happens – if the ball comes loose in the scrum – then anything could happen. I’m not predicting; I just say I’d never write him off.”
Boris, 58, has made it clear he’ll stay in Parliament and pledge loyalty to whoever takes the throne. But there’s a gnarly shadow of the “Partygate” scandal hanging over him – “party” so big that it’s a headline in its own right. The government’s fresh leader will want to fix the trust deficit, so every political hiccup from the former PM feels like a fresh glass of gin in a diamond‑capped audit.
What’s the Reality Check?
- He’s still an MP and will do the job, not the extra. The exit is a position of business, not a “public property” gig.
- Investigations are at the gates. If Boris under‑reports about the lockdown parties, reporters have biscuits of evidence that could further snack on the new prime minister’s fresh image.
When asked last week what kind of ex‑prime minister he would be, Boris would shrug, “Only time will tell… My intention is to give full, unqualified support to whoever takes over and later, get on with life.” The door’s open, but whether it squeaks or slams shut remains a question for the immortal game of political chess.
