It seemed at once incredible and inevitable.

No sooner had Prime Minister Liz Truss of Britain announced her sudden resignation Thursday afternoon than a familiar name surfaced as a candidate to succeed her: Boris Johnson, the prime minister she replaced a mere 45 days ago.

Johnson, who is vacationing in the Caribbean, has said nothing publicly about a bid for his old job. But the prospect of Boris redux has riveted Conservative Party lawmakers and Cabinet ministers — delighting some, repelling others and dominating the conversation in a way that Johnson has for his entire political career.