Rory Stewart, a former Cabinet minister, asserts that Boris Johnson is “circling” and “hoping for a populist comeback like Silvio Berlusconi.”
Former minister thinks the Prime Minister might mount a populist return similar to Berlusconi
Rory Stewart, a critic of Boris Johnson, claims that the prime minister will be “hovering about.”
He references Mr. Johnson’s conviction that he was “mistreated” by Conservative MPs.
An ex-Cabinet minister argues that Boris Johnson might return to power with a populist resurgence akin to that of Silvio Berlusconi.
Rory Stewart, an ardent opponent of the departing Prime Minister, opined that Mr. Johnson’s ‘extraordinary ego’ suggests he will seek a second term in Number 10.
The former Conservative MP urged that Mr. Johnson emulate Mr. Berlusconi, the controversial leader who served as Italy’s prime minister three times despite continuous scandals.
Mr. Stewart also compared Mr. Johnson to other deposed leaders, such Imran Khan of Pakistan and Donald Trump of the United States, claiming that the Prime Minister would soon be “hovering around” in expectation of a political return.
After the Tory MP mutiny this summer, Mr. Johnson has less than a week left in Downing Street before he is replaced by either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak.
Ms. Truss or Mr. Sunak will be formally appointed as prime minister the day after the conclusion of the ongoing Conservative leadership contest, which will be revealed on Monday.
As a result of the Tory MPs’ revolt this summer, Boris Johnson has less than a week remaining in Downing Street until he is replaced by either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak.
Between 1994 and 2011, despite numerous political scandals, Silvio Berlusconi served as Italy’s prime minister three times.
Rory Stewart, a ferocious critic of the departing Prime Minister, opined that Mr. Johnson’s “extraordinary ego” indicates he will seek a second term in Number 10.
Mr. Stewart, a former secretary of international development, was among candidates defeated by Mr. Johnson in the 2019 Conservative leadership contest.
Today, he suggested that the former prime minister’s expectations for a political comeback were fueled by the perception that he was “mistreated” by his party.
Mr. Stewart stated on BBC Radio 4’s Today, “I’m afraid he has an inflated sense of self-importance and believes he was mistreated.”
‘He is oblivious to the fact that he was a lousy prime minister and lost his position due to serious character faults.
I am concerned that a second Berlusconi or Trump will attempt to return to power.
Mr. Stewart also compared Mr. Johnson to other overthrown leaders, like Imran Khan of Pakistan and Donald Trump of the United States.
Since losing the 2020 US presidential election to Joe Biden, Mr. Trump has constantly indicated his intention to run for re-election in 2024.
Mr. Stewart joined former Conservative minister David Gauke in speculating that Mr. Johnson is preparing a return to politics.
Recently, the former justice secretary used a magazine article to assert that the prime minister, in an attempt to emulate his hero Winston Churchill, is already planning for a second term in Downing Street.
A friend of the prime minister stated last week that Mr. Johnson plans to rally Tory members with a “major speech” at the party’s conference in October if Ms. Truss, his likely successor, is in jeopardy.
Mr. Stewart has previously referred to Mr. Johnson as a “monstrous character” and a “constant liar” in a series of attacks on the Prime Minister.
Also speaking to the Guardian regarding Mr. Johnson’s potential return to the political forefront, he stated, ‘I believe he is dangerous, and there are many who want him to return.
I believe it is necessary to remind people why he left. He should have left significantly earlier. What he did was extremely, extremely reprehensible and harmful.
He is attempting to imitate Imran Khan or Silvio Berlusconi. He will be lurking in the hopes of a populist revival.
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