Theresa, George or Boris could be my successor, says PM
DAVID Cameron identified three candidates to succeed him last night – but at least half a dozen senior Tories are tipped as potential successors. The Prime Minister named London Mayor Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Theresa May and Chancellor George Osborne as those who could take over when he stands down.
But other likely contenders for leadership include Culture Secretary Sajid Javid, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.
The Conservative Right is also likely to rally behind a candidate from the backbenches, such as former ministers Liam Fox or Owen Paterson.
Other rising stars from the party’s 2010 intake, including business minister Matthew Hancock and Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss, may also enter the race, depending on when Mr Cameron departs.
Mr Johnson is the bookies’ favourite to succeed Mr Cameron as Tory leader, and appears to have been granted licence to woo backbench MPs in exchange for playing a leading role in the election campaign.
His seven years outside Westminster at City Hall mean he has only a limited following among Tory MPs.
Both he and Mr Javid are understood to have been quietly targeting parliamentary candidates selected in safe Tory seats ahead of a potential post-election Conservative leadership election.
The London Mayor has been inviting parties of MPs for meals at his home and has recently extended the charm offensive to include parliamentary candidates likely to win in May.
He also sought to appeal to Tory MPs tired of coalition this week by indicating in an interview with the Daily Mail that he believes another powersharing deal – with the Liberal Democrats or anyone else – should be ruled out.
Mrs May has repeatedly stressed her loyalty to Mr Cameron and personal relations between the two remain reasonable, though she has never been part of his inner circle.
However, the Home Secretary, dubbed ‘Britain’s Angela Merkel’ by allies, is thought to regard Mr Johnson as a ‘faintly ridiculous’ figure and would run against him.
Mr Javid, is also thought to be giving serious consideration to a bid for the top job when Mr Cameron quits.
He has been sending hand- written letters of congratulation to those winning selection as Tory parliamentary candidates. However, allies believe he could ultimately throw his lot in with another leadership contender in exchange for a job as their Chancellor or Shadow Chancellor.
Even before Mr Cameron’s declaration last night, MPs have been privately speculating about his future.
Senior Tories believe the Con- servatives must win a minimum of 285 seats for him to survive after May’s election. ‘Less than 285 and I think Dave’s in real trouble,’ said one with close links to No 10.
Although short of the tally of 323 needed for a Commons majority, it would be likely to mean the Tories remain the largest party and have a prospect of forming a minority government or another coalition.