Boris Johnson will join election campaign for Conservatives

Boris Johnson, who was forced out of No 10 by his party in 2022, is set to help boost the popularity of Rishi Sunak with one move.

Maverick former British prime minister Boris Johnson is plotting his comeback as MP and is expected to campaign for the Conservatives in traditional Labour-voting Midlands and Northern England constituencies before the general election.

The former Conservative Party leader, who was forced out of Number 10 by his party in 2022, is to be deployed on the campaign trail by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to win over voters who helped him to an 80-seat majority in 2019.

Britain's former prime minister Boris Johnson is plotting his political comeback. Picture: AFP

The move comes amid warnings the Tories could be wiped out at the next general election after a poll indicated the beleaguered party could be left with just 25 seats after the next election.

Mr Johnson has accused Sunak of betrayal after he was forced out of Downing Street in 2022 and they fell out last year over Johnson’s resignation honours list.

However, relations have reportedly since improved after intense talks between Johnson’s team and No 10 with both men issuing a joint statement on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Energy and net zero minister Graham Stuart described Mr Johnson’s move as a sign the warring Conservative Party is uniting.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to join forces with Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s about the Conservative family coming together and working flat out together to close that opinion poll lead that Labour currently enjoy,” Mr Stuart told Times Radio.

“Boris is a huge personality and character. He’s always been dedicated to the interests of this country. And he, like me, recognises the need to stop Keir Starmer becoming prime minister.”

Sources for Mr Johnson confirm he is expected to play a significant role in the general election campaign and will be making speeches but won’t be sharing the stage with Mr Sunak.

“If there is a way he can help that is right for him and for the party he will,” a source close to Mr Johnson said.

“Sunak will of course be front and centre but he [Johnson] always wanted to take the fight to Starmer. Just as he has always supported the Conservative Party he will do so now.”

Sunak suffered a setback on Monday after a former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party Lee Anderson defected to Reform UK.

He was suspended for saying that Islamists had “got control” of Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London. There are now concerns that other Tory MPs could defect and join Anderson.