Boris Johnson a ‘massive favourite’ to replace Theresa May as Prime Minister Speculation is mounting that Boris Johnson could emerge as the new Prime Minister of the UK should Theresa May step […]

Speculation is mounting that Boris Johnson could emerge as the new Prime Minister of the UK should Theresa May step down in the wake of a humiliating election result.

The Foreign Secretary, whose hopes of leading the Conservative Party were dashed last year when Michael Gove announced his own leadership bid, is apparently being tipped by Tory frontbenchers, pundits and bookmakers to replace Mrs May should her party fail to secure a majority.

Bookmakers SkyBet have already slashed the odds of the former Mayor of London swooping in to become Prime Minister from 66 to one to five to one.

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Former Conservative chancellor George Osborne, who was shown the door by Mrs May after coming to power, said on ITV of the Prime Minister: “Clearly if she’s got a worse result than two years ago and is almost unable to form a government then she I doubt will survive in the long term as Conservative Party leader.”

Tim Stanley, leader writer for The Telegraph claimed Tory frontbenchers had revealed they viewed Mrs May as “wooden” and that she had “no vision”, that “her staff must go”, a “new leader [is] possible” and “Boris [is] being talked up”.

Patrick Kidd, political sketch writer for The Times, said: “Prediction: Boris becomes PM, re-rats and takes Britain back into the EU.”

Prediction: Boris becomes PM, re-rats and takes Britain back into the EU. — Patrick Kidd (@patrick_kidd) June 8, 2017

Alex Wickham, news editor at the right wing political blog Guido Fawkes claimed Mr Johnson and Conservative campaign strategist Lynton Crosby have met privately “several times over the last few days”. He added: “Election permutations were discussed.”

Hear Boris and Lynton Crosby met privately several times over the last few days. Election permutations were discussed… — Alex Wickham (@alexwickham) June 8, 2017

Mr Johnson could face competition from Brexit Secretary David Davis, though. Mr Wickham reported a “Pro-David Davis source” told him that Mr Johnson was the “massive favourite” to take over the reins of power, though the source added: “but when has the favourite ever won”.

Laurie Penny of the New Statesman made clear her feelings about a potential power grab on Mr Johnson’s part, saying: “A dreadful thundering roar is heard as the smell of power trickles into his cave of hibernation and Boris Johnson belches awake.”

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