‘He is a campaigning force’: Greg Hands responds to the suggestion that Boris might rejoin the 'blue army'

5 May 2023, 10:48

Greg Hands: ‘Do you want him as part of your blue army?’

By Alice Bourne

Tory Chairman Greg Hands tells Nick Ferrari that he expects to see Boris Johnson ‘back out on the campaign trail’ within his constituency.

Following huge local election losses made by the Conservative Party, Greg Hands has told Nick Ferrari at breakfast on LBC that Boris Johnson is welcome on the campaign trail: “I’ve always been clear to Boris that he is welcome to be out campaigning with us.

“Back out there he is a campaigning force."

Rishi Sunak is facing a backlash from Boris Johnson supporters and the Tory right, with the party looking likely to lose hundreds of local council seats.

Nick then quizzed: “Do you want him as part of your blue army?”

Read More: Tories 'terrible night' as party loses control of nine councils and Labour predicts General Election triumph

Read More: 'You're surely not blaming Putin for losing Medway': Tory chairman blames Ukraine war for 'difficult' election results

The Tory Party Chairman responded: “Nick I have had a number of conversations with Boris, I have known him for years. I expect him to be back out on the campaign trail not least in his own constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, he’s been there campaigning against ULEZ which you know is a big feature of the London election.”

Nick then pressed further: “But he declined to be part of the blue army for these local elections did he?”

The response was then again: “Well he’s been campaigning hard against ULEZ and that’s an important thing.”

Early morning results from the local elections saw the Conservatives lose control of nine councils while Labour had several big wins.

Read More: Jubilant Labour ‘on track for No10’ as PM pledges to stay the course after huge Tory local election losses

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK critically unprepared for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK 'woefully unprepared' for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector

Nick Ferrari.

'He'll look over his shoulder for the rest of his life': Concern for Martyn Blake's privacy long overdue

Exclusive
'No one gutsy enough to address this': Mylene Klass calls on government to introduce paid miscarriage leave.

Government not 'gutsy' enough to implement paid miscarriage leave claims Myleene Klass

Exclusive
David Cameron speaks to LBC

David Cameron calls for UK to sanction two Israeli ministers as change on arms embargo 'didn't satisfy anybody'

'I wouldn't do it again': Jenrick suggests regret for painting over murals at children’s asylum centre.

'I wouldn't do it again': Robert Jenrick says he regrets ordering workers to paint over murals at children’s asylum centre

Exclusive
Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye