Why UK Conservatives Should Not Bring Back Boris Johnson

Given that Boris Johnson has recently resigned from his position as an MP, the idea of bringing him back to power seems like a complete nonstarter. He had his golden opportunity to deliver on the 80-seat majority mandate for Brexit in the early days of the Conservative Party's tenure. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Johnson had ample time to implement positive change and failed spectacularly.

The Conservatives are making the same fatal mistake that the Labour Party made in the 1970s and 2000s. They are valuing purity of ideology over electability. Earlier this millennium, the Labour Party's left wing insisted on Jeremy Corbyn as their leader, believing that his policies would counter the years of 'soft-left' 'New Labour.' However, they ignored the fact that 'New Labour's' success came from abandoning much of the left-wing policies that were unpopular, leading to significant electoral defeats.

Now, the Tory right is ignoring the catastrophic consequences of Liz Truss's tenure. Her "insane" policies plunging the UK into economic turmoil caused a massive drop in the Conservatives' popularity. Yet, the right-wing Tory party is considering bringing back Boris Johnson to implement policies from various extreme Tory groups, including the ERG (Eurosceptic Research Group), CDO (Commonwealth Developing Organisation), and NCC (National Conservatism Coalition). This move is a clear sign of their ongoing ideological inflexibility.

Why Boris Johnson Failed and His Supporters Are Ignoring History

The Tory right's disregard for history and electability is mirrored in their support for Boris Johnson. They believe Johnson is the one who can implement these policies successfully. However, history has shown that such an approach is detrimental to the party's long-term viability.

Verdict: Boris Johnson was the worst Prime Minister in the last 50 years. His leadership has been marked by a series of blunders, leading to both domestic and international crises. While some people might support him due to his unconventional policies and supposed character, they often neglect the fact that his policies are far more radical and left-leaning than those of the typical Conservative.

For instance, Boris Johnson's policies may even be more extreme than those of Keir Starmer. Keir Starmer, who seems to be a Blairite clone without the charm or charisma, lacks the personality to deliver his policies effectively. This is in stark contrast to Boris Johnson, who has a certain appeal to those who don't traditionally support the Conservatives.

Why Boris Johnson's Return Is Unviable

Ignoring the past and the current political climate, the idea of bringing Boris Johnson back to power is misguided. He has already tried to run for leadership but was unable to secure enough support to proceed. He was forced to pull out, a move that would have resulted in a humiliating defeat.

The Conservative Party is not bringing Boris Johnson back; he is currently trying to return. The reality is that none of the current party leaders want to take on the role in the next election, which is expected to be a significant defeat for the Tories. Rishi Sunak is the only person who stands a very small chance of securing a victory in the future. If Boris Johnson were to face the election, it would be a foregone conclusion, but at least other leaders would not be tainted by his dishonest and hypocritical behavior.

Conclusion

The Conservatives are trapped in a self-destructive cycle of ideological rigidity. Instead of embracing pragmatic policies that can win over voters, they are clinging to the idea that Boris Johnson can provide them with a return to power through his extreme policies. However, history and current circumstances indicate that this approach is likely to end in failure. The party's best bet is to focus on electability and moderate policies that can appeal to a broader range of voters.