Let’s be honest, Ian Hislop isn’t exactly known for biting his tongue when it comes to politics, and now the Have I Got News For You panelist has weighed in on Boris Johnson returning as Conservative Party leader.
The party is set to elect a new head once again following an eventful week, including the resignation of Liz Truss, who took over from Johnson just 44 days ago.
Although former PM Johnson, who also resigned earlier this year after a string of scandals, has not officially announced his bid for office once more, there are rumours he’s planning a comeback.
In fact, it’s thought that several ministers have declared their support for him, and the former London mayor has reportedly claimed that entering the race would be in the ‘national interest’.
Getting stuck straight in to the week’s events, the HIGNFY panel reckon it was ‘unbelievable’ Truss was actually Prime Minister in the first place.
Speaking on the BBC show alongside guest host Mastermind presenter Clive Myrie Hislop was joined on the panels by regular team captain Paul Merton, alongside comedian Jo Brand and deputy political editor of The Spectator, Katy Balls.
‘This is just the unbelievable news that Liz Truss was Prime Minister. And now she’s gone. In fact, her whole career was one enormous u-turn… she walked into Downing Street and she walked straight out again,’ said Hislop.
‘She didn’t drag it out…’ Katy Balls commented.
‘No, no… they dragged her out,’ replied Hislop.
‘The Tory party are now looking for their third leader this year. But they seem to keep doing shorter times per go…’ said Balls.
‘It sounds like whoever wins next week and becomes Prime Minister, the victory speech will be something along the lines of, “I’m really pleased to have become Prime Minister of this country and that’s why I’m tendering my resignation”,’ joked Paul Merton.
Meanwhile, Brand quipped that the PM was ‘weirdly smiling’ during her resignation speech, tipping her for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
‘I was watching when she resigned and the pound actually recovered during her resignation speech,’ added Hislop, after the pound fell to an all-time low.
‘If internationally the markets prefer no Prime Minister to you, then it’s the end of the game, isn’t it? Let’s have no-one!’
Host Myrie (who appears as a guest host for the third time) joked hat Suella Braverman – who left the cabinet this week too – continuing, addressed her resignation letter, ‘To whom it may concern.’
With Sir Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 Committee, announcing that a replacement for Truss will be found within the next week, conversation soon turned to some of the names being touted for the position, with Myrie quizzing Hislop on whether it is ‘time’ for Johnson to make a ‘miraculous return.’
‘No, of course it isn’t. You imagine the Tory party will have learnt its lesson,’ replied Hislop.
‘Boris needs 100 MPs to back him…’ Myrie stated.
‘You’re not seriously going to propose him to come back… that seems to me almost… mad enough for them to do it…’ said Hislop.
Have I Got News For You continues on BBC One tonight at 9.00pm.
