'I Couldn't Say No': Boris Johnson's Suprise Tory Comeback Fires Up Rishi Sunak Poll Campaign

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday returned to the forefront of the Conservative Party’s election campaign to bolster support for current party leader and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, just days ahead of the general election.

Johnson won a big majority at the last election in 2019 before being forced to resign in 2022 by a Tory mutiny which Sunak helped to start, and which exposed deep splits in the governing party. Johnson’s unexpected resurgence in campaigning comes amid fears within the Conservative ranks of a potential Labour Party landslide victory.

‘I couldn’t say no’

His presence at recent rallies and speeches aims to galvanize traditional Conservative voters and sway undecided voters away from Labour leader Keir Starmer. “None of us can sit back as a Labour government prepares to use a sledgehammer majority to destroy so much of what we have achieved,” he said. Acknowledging that some might be surprised to see him, he said he was glad to be asked to help by Sunak. “Of course I couldn’t say no,” he added.

The former British Prime Minister’s reappearance marks a strategic move by Tory strategists to leverage his popularity and appeal among the party faithful. His influence was evident as he passionately addressed crowds, urging them to prevent what he described as a looming threat of a left-wing Labour government with a significant parliamentary majority.

During his speeches, Johnson did not shy away from slamming Labour’s policies, particularly targeting what he termed as “mandatory wokery,” uncontrolled immigration, and a perceived lack of firmness against global adversaries like Vladimir Putin, the Daily Mail reported. His rhetoric also included jabs at Nigel Farage, whom he branded a “Kremlin crawler,” aligning himself firmly against Labour’s agenda.

Johnson’s role in the campaign has been pivotal, especially as he seeks to dispel any notions of internal party discord between himself and Sunak. He affirmed his commitment to supporting the Conservative cause, aligning their vision for Brexit, economic policy, and national security. The timing of Johnson’s return was strategic, coming just days before the general election, when polls indicated a tightening race but still favored Labour.

His presence at rallies alongside Sunak was seen as a morale booster for the party faithful, reassuring them of the Conservative Party’s resilience in the face of a formidable electoral challenge. However, opposition parties and some commentators have criticised Johnson’s return, accusing him of attempting to overshadow Sunak and exploit lingering discontent within the Conservative ranks. Some have labeled his campaign appearances as a desperate attempt to salvage his political legacy after stepping down from office.

(With agency inputs)