Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on October 23 that he will not seek to regain the leadership of the Conservative Party, which ousted him as prime minister little more than three months ago. His withdrawal leaves former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak as the strong favorite to be Britain's next prime minister.

Speculation is mounting that Johnson and Sunak could strike a deal to unite the fractured governing party, which is still reeling from the rapid downfall of Liz Truss, who quit after her economic policy proposals caused financial market turmoil and obliterated her credibility.