BOJO A GOGO
Boris Johnson finally confirms he WILL run to be next PM after Theresa May quits
BoJo has said he will stand to replace embattled Prime Minister Theresa May when she quits No 10
BORIS JOHNSON declared for the Tory leadership today with a rallying cry to Eurosceptics – saying: “Of course I’m going to go for it”.
Launching the race to replace Theresa May, the clear favourite told an insurance conference he wanted to “exploit the opportunities of Brexit”.
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And the ex-Foreign Secretary slammed Theresa May for her “lack of grip and dynamism” in EU negotiations. He said: “All I can say most tactfully and usefully is that I have a pretty boundless appetite now to get it right and to do what I think would help our country to get on the right path.
“I’m going to go for it, of course I’m going to go for it.”
His odds were immediately cut by bookies with Betfair taking him from 7-2 to 11-4 to beat out rival Dominic Raab in the race for No10.
It comes as a tearful Mrs May indicated she will resign before the end of July, but refused to name a date.
She is planning to quit after Parliament votes on her Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, even if she loses a fourth time.
Sources claim that as many as 20 Tories are ready to throw their hat into the leadership ring when a contest officially gets under way.
Of course I’m going to go for it
Boris Johnson
The Sun last month revealed the former London Mayor had enjoyed a dramatic surge in support. Key allies claimed a Tory poll collapse had sparked fears of a General Election wipeout and a swing towards Mr Johnson.
Speaking at the Manchester conference, the Tory heavyweight insisted there was “no vacancy at present”.
Challenged on his appetite for the top job, he said: “There’s no vacancy.
“On the other hand what I will say is I do think there’s been a real lack of grip and dynamism in the way we approached these talks.
“We haven’t done and we’ve failed over the last three years to put forward a convincing narrative about how we can make sense of Brexit and how to exploit the opportunities of Brexit.”
He admitted a sense of responsibility given his time in the Foreign Office.
But he said putting it right meant “getting out in the way that I described”. “I’ll put my shoulder to the task of achieving that objective in whatever way I can.”
LEADER SHOWDOWN
On Thursday, Mrs May held crunch talks with top Tories as party grandees call for her to step down.
Members of the influential 1922 Committee said MPs had "very frank" 90-minute discussions with the embattled PM.
Despite not setting her departure date, Mrs May said she will meet 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady after the Bexit vote in the first week of June.
Brexiteers are warning the PM she could slump to another humiliating Commons defeat after three previous drubbings.
International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and ex-Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey have already openly thrown their hat in the ring for the leadership contest.
Andrea Leadsom said she is "considering" standing in the race.
Tory heavy hitters also tipped to make a bid for Number 10 include Michael Gove, Amber Rudd, Sajid Javid, Dominic Raab, Jeremy Hunt, Penny Mordaunt and Liz Truss.
Last July, Mr Johnson quit from Mrs May's Cabinet in protest at her Chequers Brexit plan.
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He compared Mrs May's blueprint on leaving the EU to a "suicide vest" and remains an outspoken critic of her Brexit stance.
Mr Johnson's decision to stand comes ahead of this month's European elections.
Polls show the Conservatives set to crash to a catastrophic set of results from May 23, which Nigel Farage's new Brexit Party surging ahead.
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Who are the leading contenders to be the next Prime Minister after Theresa May leaves No10 Downing Street?
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