Duncan Smith says Boris Johnson may leave politics at next election

13 July 2022, 19:06 | Updated: 13 July 2022, 19:10

Iain Duncan Smith doesn't believe Boris Johnson would go into anyone else's Cabinet

By Megan Hinton

Sir Iain Duncan Smith said he would be "astonished" if Boris Johnson joined the new cabinet but believes the Prime Minister will "rise in another guise".

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking on Tonight with Andrew Marr the former leader of the Conservative Party, who is backing Liz Truss' leadership campaign, said Mr Johnson will continue to "dominate the news" but suspects he will leave politics at the next general election.

When asked whether or not Ms Truss would invite Boris Johnson to join her cabinet if she was successful in the leadership race, Sir Iain said: "I don’t think Boris Johnson would come into anyone's cabinet.

"Its far too restrictive for him. I think his ambition now… The big Boris that he used to be, I think he has no desire to put a straight jacket around himself, having to run in accordance to other peoples wishes.

"I have a suspicion that Boris will rise in another guise and as ever he will probably dominate the news but I don’t think he will be in a cabinet.

Read more: Hunt and Zahawi out of Tory leadership race as Sunak storms first round

Sir Iain Duncan Smith said he would be "astonished" if Boris Johnson joined the new cabinet
Sir Iain Duncan Smith said he would be "astonished" if Boris Johnson joined the new cabinet. Picture: Alamy

"So offering him a job or not, I am sure people will take soundings but I would be astonished if Boris decided to step into a cabinet. As David Cameron refused to do as well."

When pressed on whether the Boris Johnson will continue with his political career after being ousted from Downing Street, the former Tory leader replied: " Well certainly until the general election I would expect him to stay.

"In fact I am sure he will stay but I think once you’ve done the top job, lots of people decide maybe it's time you stepped aside and no longer were the ghost of the feast."

Read more: Everything 'fell into place' for Mordaunt but she still has questions to answer, says Marr

On Wednesday evening Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and Jeremy Hunt were knocked out of the Tory leadership race.

The chair of the backbench 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady revealed that six candidates had made it through the first round after receiving more than 30 votes.

Rishi Sunak stormed through Wednesday's vote receiving 88 nominations in favour of him becoming Prime Minister.

Penny Mordaunt came close second receiving 67 votes in her favour and Liz Truss was at her heels with 50 votes.

A second round of voting is set to take place tomorrow and continue until only two candidates remain fighting for the top job.

The voting process is set to be completed by Parliament's summer recess on July 21

The final two will then face Conservative party members at a series of hustings over the summer before a final vote takes place.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A view of the sign for Aston Wood Golf Club in Birmingham, where a van being chased by West Midlands Police crashed on Friday morning. A woman has been left with life-threatening injuries after the incident. Picture date: Friday April 11, 2025.

Six men arrested following woman's death after being hit by van on golf course during police chase

Police found the body of missing Cardiff woman Paria Veisi following the arrest of two individuals - one of whom was charged with murder.

Police find body of missing Cardiff woman Paria Veisi - as man charged with her murder

Murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey's school has banned mobile phones during the day in a move which has "reduced" pupils' stress levels, the headteacher said.

Murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey's school bans mobile phones to 'reduce' pupils' stress levels

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, second leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. Picture date: Wednesday April 16, 2025.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta vows to keep Liverpool waiting for title

Zelenskyy accuses Putin of violating 'Easter truce' following Russia's pledge to cease 'all military operations' in Ukraine

Zelenskyy accuses Putin of violating 'Easter truce' following Russia's pledge to cease 'all military operations'

FILE - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, Israel, on Oct. 27, 2024. (Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool Photo via AP, File)

'We will not surrender': Netanyahu insists Israel will continue Gaza war 'until Hamas are no longer able to control' strip

File photo dated 11/09/18 of models of a man and woman standing on a pile of coins and bank notes. More than a third (35%) of Gen-Z adults aged 18 to 21 worry about their finances every day, according to research for a major bank.

One third of 18 to 21-year-olds in the UK ‘worry about money every day’, study finds

Trans rights protestors deface Millicent Fawcett statue as thousands take to streets following Supreme Court ruling

Trans rights protestors deface Millicent Fawcett statue as thousands take to UK streets following Supreme Court ruling

Emergency services are at the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on the A1.

Personal trainer who caused A1 police crash 'drove to work two days later' despite having no license

Clodagh Rodgers, auch Cloda Rogers, Sängerin aus Nordirland, 1971 sang sie für Großbritannien beim Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, hier bei einem Auftritt, 1971. Clodagh Rodgers, aka Cloda Rogers, Singer from Northern Ireland, in 1971.

Eurovision star Clodagh Rodgers dies aged 78

Nicola Coughlan poses for photographers upon arrival at the BFI Flare Opening Gala for the film 'The Wedding Banquet' in London, Wednesday, March. 19, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Nicola Coughlan raises more than £100,000 for trans charity following trans gender ruling

Russia's President Vladimir Putin

Putin declares 'Easter truce' in Ukraine as Russia pledges to cease 'all military operations' until Monday

Croatian footballer Nikola Pokrivac

Tributes pour in as former Croatia international Nikola Pokrivac dies in horror car accident

Exclusive
Former Defence Sec Ben Wallace has slammed the White House

Trump is looking for an 'exit ramp' on Ukraine, Ben Wallace tells LBC, as he warns victory is getting further away

The scene on the A1 after a crash involving a number of police cars

Personal trainer on 'first date' admits dangerous driving in A1 crash with five police cars

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

More than 90 people killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza in last 48 hours, Hamas-run health ministry says