The next election ‘may be fought by three men in their seventies’
. . . but our poll showed most voters want BoJo
IF BORIS Johnson’s Brexit article does mark the start of his long-expected bid for the Tory crown, he will enjoy strong support among both the party’s grassroots and the wider public.
According to the MoS’s most recent opinion poll, published two weeks ago, the Foreign Secretary is the firm favourite to succeed Theresa May, and would beat either of his Cabinet rivals David Davis or Amber Rudd. However, an even bigger number of voters want a ‘fresh face’ drawn from beyond senior Cabinet ranks.
There is also strong opposition to Britain quitting the EU without a deal – the so-called ‘hard’ Brexit favoured by Johnson’s allies – with 58 per cent of voters against that option.
In the Survation poll, 19 per cent of voters and 21 per cent of Tories chose Johnson as next Conservative leader, followed by maverick MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, Chancellor Philip Hammond, Brexit Secretary Davis and Home Secretary Rudd.
Unsurprisingly, the strongest support for the former London Mayor was found among Brexit supporters, but he was also ahead of his rivals among Remain voters.
A total of 31 per cent of all those surveyed said the Conservatives would have a better chance of winning the next Election if May steps down, against 15 per who disagree.
More than four in ten voters said Britain’s prospects of getting a good Brexit deal weaken each day that May hangs on to power; 28 per cent disagreed. A total of 29 per cent of Tories said the party needs a ‘fresh face’ as next leader against 30 per cent who disagreed.
Aside from Rees-Mogg, rising star Tory MPs include International Development Secretary Priti Patel, ex-Army officer Tom Tugendhat, former karate champion Dominic Raab and ex-diplomat Rory Stewart.