Former PM Johnson last night held talks with party colleague Rishi Sunak about Liz Truss’s successor. The two are believed to be top candidates to succeed the resigned prime minister, although neither has officially announced their candidacy yet.

Sources confirm to British media that the consultation took place but are silent on the content. According to the Sunday Telegraph, Johnson has offered his former Prime Minister Sunak a ministerial post, which the Mail on Sunday writes Sunak made a similar offer to the former Prime Minister.

Both politicians hope to avoid divisions within the party over Truss’s successor. She was already damaged in her election because MPs in conflict with Sunak voted for him while conservative party members rallied behind her.

100 statements of support needed

So far, Sunak seems to have the best papers to succeed Truss. Around 120 MPs have already publicly backed him, although he has yet to officially say he will make a second bid at 10 Downing Street.

Johnson, who returned early from a Caribbean vacation for the leadership fight, is openly receiving less support. Although supporters swear he has the requisite 100 MPs, only 55 party members are known to grant him a second term. Penny Mordaunt is the only politician to officially stand for election. So far she has the support of 23 colleagues.

Although Johnson announced his resignation in July after party members withdrew their support en masse following scandals, he remains popular with conservative supporters. Supporters point out that he led the party to massive election gains in 2019.

Opponents find it ridiculous that he’s considering returning so soon after leaving. They recall that a parliamentary inquiry into his statements about Partygate, the banned lockdown drinks held at his official residence, is ongoing. The punishment hanging over him could lead to another leadership crisis within a few months.

New Prime Minister on Monday?

The closing date for applications for candidates is 2pm UK time tomorrow. If several candidates win enough support, the Conservative MPs decide which of the two with the most support has their preference. After that, all group members can make the final choice.

If this procedure is necessary, the new prime minister will be announced on Friday. If the competitors appear together and only one person is running, it will be known tomorrow who will succeed Truss.