Boris Johnson allies predict that former prime minister will bounce Conservatives as reforms “self-destruction” in just a few years

Boris Johnson hopes Nigel Farage’s reforms will “self-destruct” before the next election – when he will succumb to saving the Conservative Party.

The Conservative Party’s terrible performance in local elections restored speculation about Mr. Johnson’s ambitions, losing 676 seats amid a surge in reforms and passing polls to put them as low as 17%.

While Mr Johnson continues to announce public confidence in Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, the down-morning activists have begun to talk about his chances of making a comeback as a poll last week found that he was the only potential leader of the Conservative Party, and conservatives will be high against Mr Farage’s party.

One ally said: “Boris is convinced that the wheel will stand out from the reform trend in three years – in the areas where they win power, they will be found wanting, and voters will be tired of all the fruit cakes and lols they have in their ranks.

“He would come back to serve as leader then, although the exact mechanism is not yet clear. But, it must be said that not all his friends firmly believe that reform will flash in the pot.

Support for Mr Johnson is concentrated in the central and northern Red Walls, which supports Brexit and is now leaning towards reform.

He has little assets to the Southern parties, where the Conservatives have mainly engaged in local melee with the Liberal Democrats.

The common poll concluded that under Mr Johnson, the Conservatives would beat the reform with three points, while Labor was third. Under Mrs. Badennoch, the party was lagging behind eight points of reform.

Mr Johnson continues to announce public confidence to Kemi Badenoch’s leadership (pictured) leadership, but depressed activists have begun to talk about his chances of making a comeback

British reform leader Nigel Farage speaks at the UK reform conference held at the Lincolnshire exhibition grounds on March 25, 2025

“When conservatives struggle to survive, it seems like Boris Johnson is indeed likely to be part of the answer. The poll and our focus group show that Johnson is able to win a portion of the reform voters that the party has failed since 2019 and has the potential to stabilize the party in terms of rights,” said Luke Tryl, the author of the poll.

But Mr Tryl added: “He doesn’t seem very capable of attacking the workforce, especially Lib-Dem voters, and his negative sentiment here may make it difficult for him to win the election.”

Three years ago, Mr. Johnson was panicked by MPs to remove the Party Gate legend and the sinking ratings. Asked about plans last week, he said: “I have a lot of opportunities to return to parliament, like I was beheaded by a friend, locked in a discarded refrigerator or re-categorised into olives, or anything else I’ve ever said.

“I live a very productive life…I spent a lot of time trying to run for Ukraine and make sure to raise awareness and understanding about it. I think Kemi has a chance to turn this around.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said yesterday: “As Boris said this week, he strongly supports Kemi Badenoch and runs for Ukraine’s victory.”