Can Boris Johnson come back as Prime Minister?

Liz Truss has just resigned as Prime Minister, leaving the UK’s political landscape uncertain once again. Some have questioned whether or not the former Tory leader can come back amid the chaos.

Boris Johnson resigned as PM on July 7, 2022, kicking off a leadership race in the process.

Ms Truss managed to beat Rishi Sunak to the finishing line, though her tenure ultimately lasted just 44 days, as she confirmed her departure from office on October 20.

Now a new leadership bid is on, with rumours intensifying that Mr Johnson could be taking the top spot again.

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Boris Johnson could return as Prime Minister following Liz Truss’s exitCredit: Alamy Can Boris Johnson come back as Prime Minister?

Yes, there is no legislation stopping Mr Johnson from throwing his hat into the leadership ring again, nor are there any laws stopping him from winning and becoming Prime Minister.

Unlike Presidents in the USA who can only serve two terms, there are no such limits in the UK, meaning the PM can serve for as long as they continue to get votes.

There is also nothing stopping them from trying again after resigning or losing a vote, with Mr Johnson leaving office due to the former.

Mr Johnson has not announced any intentions to return to office.

His tenure lasted three years, after he beat Jeremy Corbyn to the role back in 2019.

Before he left No 10 on September 6, he said that he was “sad to be giving up the best job in the world,” but added that “no one is remotely indispensable” in politics.

Has a Prime Minister returned to office after leaving before?

Yes, this has happened before with a very famous example – Winston Churchill.

He served as PM from 1940 to 1945 before losing the vote to the Labour Party’s Clement Attlee.

However, he won the election in 1951, serving for a further four years until 1955.

If Mr Johnson decides to announce his leadership bid, the only thing in his way would be party support.