Former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has expressed his belief that the Conservative Party made a mistake by forcing former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign in 2022. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Zahawi, 56, described Johnson as the most significant leader since Margaret Thatcher.
Zahawi, who was dismissed by Rishi Sunak over tax issues, voiced regret over his own involvement in urging Johnson to step down. He criticized his colleagues for acting hastily, influenced by social media pressure rather than broader public opinion. Johnson's tenure included handling Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic recovery, along with leading during the onset of the Ukraine war.
Zahawi’s remarks come as he plans to leave Parliament at the next general election. He has recently been appointed chairman of the online retailer Very Group. His new memoir, “The Boy from Baghdad: My Journey from Waziriyah to Westminster,” is set to be published in August.