According to a new survey released today, Boris Johnson would continue serving as prime minister if he were permitted to run for Tory leader once again.
In a sign of how polarising Mr. Johnson’s leadership was, party MPs compelled him to announce his resignation last month, prompting angry backlash from Conservative members.
53 percent of those surveyed by YouGov for the Times believed it was wrong for the more than 60 ministers to resign in order to topple a corrupt administration.
These MPs included Rishi Sunak, a candidate for the leadership, who resigned as chancellor but not Liz Truss, who is still the foreign secretary.
The poll also indicated that Mr. Johnson, if given the opportunity to run, would defeat both of them.
A little over 40% of respondents indicated that they would support the incumbent PM if the party changed its rules to allow him to do so.
There are no plans to amend the rules, despite a grassroots campaign by some of Mr. Johnson’s closest allies that has pushed for this to occur.
Millionaire Tory donor Lord Cruddas has threatened protests and pickets at the 12 leadership hustings throughout the nation, but so far nothing has happened.
Mr. Johnson is scheduled to leave on a brief vacation as Ms. Truss and Mr. Sunak get ready for the third hustings in Cardiff tonight.
In a speech at his extravagant wedding party over the weekend, he claimed he was the victim of “the greatest stitch-up since the Bayeux Tapestry.”
He made the comments as he and Carrie celebrated their lockdown marriage at the country residence of a rich Tory contributor with their closest friends and family.
He made the claim that he didn’t deserve to be removed from office in a speech to guests that included members of his Cabinet supporters and famous people, such as Holly Vallance, a soap opera actress and singer.
This is true despite the long list of corruption and financial problems, such as Partygate and Wallpapergate, that contributed to the resignation of more than 50 politicians last month.
The Times reports that he made light of the fact that he had received “masses of letters to quit, largely from my closest family,” but that he had also “become aware of the cloud on the horizon.”
Then he compared the widespread strike that led to his own hesitant resignation to the renowned 70-meter (230-foot) work of art that is kept in Normandy but was created in England.
Tonight, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak will debate the Tory faithful despite clear indications that the party has already decided on its next leader and prime minister.
In the most recent poll of Conservative members, who make up the electorate, Ms. Truss, the foreign secretary, opened up an astounding 34-point advantage, indicating Mr. Sunak has a steep hill to climb.
As he gets ready for tonight’s third hustings in Cardiff, the former chancellor’s chances of swaying voters’ opinions are likewise dashed by the YouGov study conducted for the Times.
More than 80% of those who declare their support for his opponent insist that their decision to vote for her has already been made and that they intend to do it as soon as feasible.
Just 17% of respondents indicate that they may yet change their minds, compared to 29% of Mr. Sunak’s supporters.
Another setback is that the voting has been delayed after spy chiefs issued a warning that the ballots “may be exposed to hackers.”
Conservative party members were initially planned to receive a postal ballot with a unique code attached to it for each voter.
They were then able to make their choice and submit it for the first time via mail or the internet, with the option to change it later on in the competition.
But due to concerns that the vote might be rigged, that is no longer an option.
60% of Conservative members back Ms. Truss, who has been the front-runner to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister for weeks.
The former chancellor Mr. Sunak, who has been undertaking a policy blitz in an effort to catch up with his competitor, received just 26% of the vote.