LONDON (HPD) — Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he will not run to lead the Conservative Party, ending intense speculation about his possible return to leadership of that political grouping.
Johnson, who was forced out in July amid ethics scandals, was widely expected to run to replace Liz Truss, who resigned last week.
Johnson has spent the weekend trying to rally support from other lawmakers, saying he had garnered more than 100 votes, the threshold for running.
But he trailed far behind former finance minister Rishi Sunak in support. Johnson said that he had come to the conclusion that “you cannot govern effectively unless you have a united party in Parliament.”