Boris Johnson tipped to be next Tory leader to win over Leave voters

Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson could take over the reins of the Conservative Party from Theresa May in a bid to win back the support of Leave voters.

The Conservative Party is concerned that disgruntled Eurosceptics will leave the party to join Ukip or Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party due to the delays on Brexit.

According to The Sun, senior figures in the Tory Party see Brexiteer Mr Johnson as the best candidate to take over from Mrs May when she steps down.

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MPs are reportedly worried about losing their seats and believe people would vote for the Tories if Mr Johnson was leader.

Mrs May has promised to stand down once a Brexit deal has been approved.

The former minister was one of the main Leave figureheads in the Brexit debate and campaigned vigorously for the UK to leave the EU.

The Times has reported that Mr Johnson has had talks with the DUP this week, potentially ahead of his fight to be the next leader.

Home secretary Sajid Javid is also a contender for Mrs May’s job and is due to make a major speech next week demanding an end to the crime epidemic in the UK.

MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has hinted he would support Mr Johnson in any leadership contest.

The North East Somerset MP has said that Mr Johnson has “middle” views on domestic issues and he would have the ability to bring together the party.

In an interview with Sky News, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “I think very highly of Boris Johnson, who managed to win in London twice in a Labour area, has a great connection with voters, is a clear Eurosceptic but otherwise is very much in the middle of the Conservative party.

“He’s not particularly a factional character beyond the European issue and therefore I think could unite the party and win elections but we are lucky, we have many other good candidates as well.”

“I think it is now legitimate to be discussing the various abilities of the various potential candidates.”