IS BORIS JOHNSON PLOTTING TO REPLACE MAY AS PRIME MINISTER?
BORIS Johnson is preparing to launch a bid to replace Theresa May, according to a Cabinet minister.
The Foreign Secretary thinks it may be “now or never” if he is to achieve his dream of becoming Tory leader and Prime Minister.
He is reported to have been spurred on by concerns over the “direction of travel” for Brexit.
The Cabinet minister told the Daily Express: “Things are very unsettled and he (Boris) sees an opportunity.
“He possibly thinks it is now or never. The only thing keeping Mrs May in a job is a lack of viable candidates.”
A Brexit-supporting MP said last night that a challenge to Mrs May “could come in weeks” as many in the party expect forthcoming local elections to be a disaster for the Conservatives.
Speculation about a leadership bid comes after Brexit campaigner Mr Johnson publicly started a Cabinet row this week over NHS funding even though it is not part of his brief. He demanded a massive injection of extra funds as a Brexit bonus but was slapped down by Mrs May.
A Tory MP confirmed: “Boris’ people are going around the tea rooms garnering support. Always when he’s away but it is clear what they are doing.”
Other MPs are briefing that Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee which represents backbench Tory MPs, may have to agree soon to a “no confidence” vote on the Prime Minister.
He is reportedly only a few short of the 48 letters needed from MPs under party rules to trigger a challenge.
There is speculation that Home Secretary Amber Rudd is preparing to run against Mr Johnson in the event of a contest being forced and already has a team in place.
International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson are also said to be preparing possible bids.
And the Daily Express has also been told that at least one senior MP outside the Cabinet has put a skeleton leadership team together.
Discontent is growing in the party amid fears that it could lose to Jeremy Corbyn at the next election if Mrs May stays in place.
There are also fears over EU negotiations. A senior Brexiteer said: “The problem is we think that we could end up with Bino which means Brexit in name only. The other problem is that Theresa May seems determined to keep Philip Hammond as Chancellor and while he is there we will not be able to reap the benefits of Brexit.”
Responding to criticism yesterday, Mrs May insisted she has the vision to lead, repeating that she wants “to develop a country that really works for everyone”.