Boris Johnson contemplates his next move Photo: Jeremy Selwyn
Boris Johnson's sudden resignation as MP on Friday caused shock in Westminster — and wondered what the former prime minister would do next.
Mr Johnson has spent the past 22 years at the forefront of politics, including three years in 10th place after being Foreign Secretary and in London. mayor.
The Telegraph considers his options as he considers his future outside of Westminster.
Return as Conservative MP in next election
The prospect of Mr. Johnson's return to politics has been erroneously written off in the past.
Many dismissed his chances of ever becoming prime minister after he did not enter the 2016 Conservative leadership contest, and also after leaving the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2018.
< p>His resignation last week left the door open for a return to the House of Commons later on, as he said he was «very sad to leave Parliament — at least for the moment.»
Mr Johnson still enjoys strong support among broad Tory circles, with political allies including Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former business secretary, predicting he may even eventually return as party leader.
If only he secured the support of the local association, he could run there as a Conservative candidate in the next election if the Conservative campaign headquarters had not blocked him from doing so.
Among the seats, Mr. Johnson could eventually replace Uxbridge and South Ruislip, as well as his former Henley constituency. He has also been linked to the Derbyshire Dales in the past.
Should Boris Johnson run for MP again? Confronting the Tory Party
Mr Johnson has slammed the direction the Conservatives have taken under Rishi Sunak, criticizing him for raising taxes, the lack of a trade deal with the US and his twists and turns in reform planning and the bonfire of EU legislation.
It would be a politically explosive decision for him to oppose the party he has been synonymous with for so long. Nigel Farage, the former leader of the Brexit Party, has already urged him to form a new alliance under a «centre-right unity».
There is no indication that Mr Johnson intends to run in any of the upcoming by-elections prompted by the scandal surrounding his departure, neither in his old seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, nor in the parishes of Mid-Bedfordshire and Selby and Ainsty.
Grant Shapps, energy secretary, said on Sunday along with Laura Kuensberg that «there is no chance that he will come back and say, 'Okay, now I'm up again'.»
Shapps says Johnson is not a victim and is not bought into his Friday statements https://t.co/Sb1NgbxihC
— Laura Kuensberg (@bbclaurak), June 11, 2023 Widely regarded as one of the best speakers in British politics, it's no surprise that Mr Johnson has already established himself in the global speaker circuit since leaving Downing Street in September.< /p>
According to the latest MPs list of financial interests, he has received over £4.2 million in commitments spanning Nigeria, New York and Singapore, including an advance of almost £2.5 million for commitments arranged through Harry's agency Walker in New York.
Mr. Johnson's supporters said he is now «free and dangerous» after leaving Parliament, suggesting he may continue the trend of using his speeches to criticize Mr. Sunak's government.
In his first major In a European speech in March, he urged his second successor to reduce corporate tax to «Irish levels» and said it would be «difficult» for him to vote for the Windsor Framework, which he would continue to oppose in the House of Commons.
In October, Mr Johnson was paid £276,130 (approximately $347,000) to speak, more than his prime minister's salary.
During a fireside chat at a Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers conference in Colorado, Mr. Johnson discussed Brexit, Ukraine and climate change.
The former prime minister was born in New York York. York and spoke of his love for the United States.
His spokesman confirmed last month that he spoke with former President Donald Trump while on tour of America.
To publish his memoirs from Downing Street
Mr Johnson will provide the most comprehensive account of his time in Downing Street to date. in a forthcoming book after signing a deal with HarperCollins believed to be worth a seven-figure sum.
The currently untitled memoir is to include his first-hand account of the 2019 election landslide. , government response to the Covid pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It will also allow him to respond to the scandals and criticism that have come in the last few months of his tenure.
Earlier this year, he said he had «a big budget for the words I have to write.» — and I stamp it, scribble, scribble, scribble.”
Complete his book on William Shakespeare
Mr. Johnson also has to complete his long-awaited biography of William Shakespeare.
He signed a £500,000 contract with publisher Hodder and Stoughton in 2015, while still Mayor of London, to compile his work on The Bard.
Over the years, he has also published several successful novels and nonfiction popular books. His first biography was The Churchill Factor, about his political hero and wartime leader Winston Churchill.
Media Appearances
There are rumors in Westminster that Mr Johnson will return to a media career after his retirement from politics< . /p>
Incumbent or former MPs are increasingly presenting their own TV programs on channels such as GB News and TalkTV.
Mr. Johnson may also return to print journalism. He is a former editor of The Spectator and previously wrote a column for The Telegraph covering many topics including Brexit, economics, foreign affairs, culture and the environment.
Television appearances are also possible. . Early in his career, his appearances on TV shows such as I've Got News for You boosted his popularity considerably.
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