Boris Johnson tipped as new Tory leader as May steps down
Boris Johnson is the bookmakers’ favourite to be the next Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland after Theresa May confirmed she is to leave 10 Downing Street on 7 June.
May made the announcement this morning after meeting Graham Brady of the 1922 Committee, the influential group of backbench MPs from May’s Conservative Party, after it became clear that she had lost the support of its members.
May had earlier this year confirmed that she would step down once Brexit had been ‘delivered’ so Conservative MPs have been jockeying for position for the past couple of months, if not longer, and Ladbrokes have the former London mayor as favourite.
Matt Shaddick, Head of Politics at Ladbrokes, commented on the potential leadership contest: “Boris is overwhelmingly the punters favourite at the moment: 5/2 a week ago into 11/8 at the time of writing. If you are looking for a lively outsider, we are seeing a bit of money on James Cleverly at 50/1 to be the next leader.”
Boris Johnson has made his intentions to lead the party vehemently clear since May took office, however some have tipped former-Brexit Minister Dominic Raab, and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove as a potential front runners.
Shaddick told SBC that a general election appears to be more likely than a second Brexit referendum for 2019, a proposal that May suggested to her cabinet earlier this week.
Shaddick added: “A general election is seen as a more likely outcome for 2019, in from 3/1 to 2/1. A further referendum isn’t out of the question as a way out of the current situation, but time is running out for it to happen this year.”
Latest odds. pic.twitter.com/xGdk1frfuX
— Ladbrokes Politics (@LadPolitics) May 24, 2019
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Source: SBC News
