Thousands of Tories want Boris Johnson back in the game — RT World News

More than 4,000 Tory supporters have reportedly signed a petition calling for outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson to have a chance of being re-elected.

The call for the Conservative Party chairman was submitted by two senior party figures, former MEP David Campbell-Bannerman and billionaire Lord Peter Cruddas. The petition says that because Johnson was elected in 2019 by « loyal and hardworking” members, grassroots voters should not be deprived of their say now. Party members »are very upset, » and « there is anger towards the parliamentary party“, continues the text.

‘I demand that Boris Johnson be added to the ballot as an option for members to vote in the next election,’ reads the appeal, which the Daily Mail says has already been signed by more than 4,000 Tory voters.

The authors of the petition claim that the whole process of electing a new party leader « is open to abuse » by deputies « who may have reasons of personal interest and grievancesto decide against Johnson.

Campbell-Bannerman, who chairs two conservative associations, said that « destroy an electoral leader” would be « suicidalfor conservatives. Cruddas threatened to withhold a £500,000 donation unless Johnson’s name appeared on the ballot.

However, a Conservative Party spokesperson clarified that “the rules clearly state that once a leader has resigned, they are ineligible to stand again in a subsequent contest.”

While Campbell-Bannerman and Cruddas are reportedly threatening to seek an injunction on the leadership election if their appeal is not granted, another petition on the same subject was rejected by parliament on Thursday.

The appeal, filed July 8, called for « an urgent investigation into the whole process of forcing the Prime Minister to resign.

« Bring Boris Johnson back as British Prime Minister. He was unfairly ousted from his role And he must finish his term for the good of the UK and Brexit“, we read in the petition.

Parliament explained the rejection of the petition by saying that it « cannot accept petitions regarding nominations.

The two finalists in the leadership race – former Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss – emerged after the fifth round of MP voting yesterday. The winner will be announced on September 5, after a postal vote of around 150,000 Conservative Party members.

The new party leader will be appointed Prime Minister shortly thereafter. Until the new head of government is installed, Johnson will continue in the role of prime minister. The leadership race was announced following Johnson’s decision to step down after a series of scandals sparked a wave of resignations by senior cabinet officials.

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