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Boost for Boris Johnson in UK leadership race

The former foreign secretary in Britain Boris Johnson has seen a surge in support in the race to ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

09.39 16 Jun 2019


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Boost for Boris Johnson in UK...

Boost for Boris Johnson in UK leadership race

Newstalk
Newstalk

09.39 16 Jun 2019


Share this article


The former foreign secretary in Britain Boris Johnson has seen a surge in support in the race to lead the country's Conservative Party, and replace Theresa May as prime minister.

An opinion poll suggests he is way ahead of his rivals to lead the party.

The survey by OnePoll in the UK's Sun on Sunday, suggests Mr Johnson is three times more popular than his closest rival, Jeremy Hunt, and his popularity among Conservative voters is higher than the combined ratings of Mr Hunt, Sajid Javid, Dominic Raab and Rory Stewart.

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The poll also suggests that among the general public 24% say they would be more likely to vote Conservative with Mr Johnson as leader, compared for 8% for Mr Hunt, Mr Javid and Mr Stewart.

He also got backing from one of his former leadership competitors, Esther McVey.

The UK's for work and pensions secretary was forced to drop out of the contest last week.

But she claims Mr Johnson is committed to her brand of "blue collar conservatism".

"I will wholeheartedly support him in his bid to become the leader of our great party and country, and I look forward to working with him to deliver for blue collar conservatives all over the country," she writes in the UK's Sunday Telegraph.

"He has promised to deliver Brexit on 31 October, deal or no-deal and has shown time and time again that he is a dynamic leader, capable of building a strong team around him that will deliver on his promises."

TV debate

The opinion polls support a boast made by Mr Johnson in front of party activists that he would "take away the oxygen of Nigel Farage and the Lib Dems, and then defeat Jeremy Corbyn and his antiquated Labour Party".

But while his support continues to grow, Mr Johnson has been accused by rivals of hiding away from the media.

When the first TV debate between the candidates is held on Sunday, on Channel 4, he will not be there.

Mr Johnson is snubbing the debate, claiming the proposed six-way programme would be "cacophonous" and "blue-on-blue", with "loads of candidates".

He has, however, said he will take part in a BBC debate due to take place on Tuesday, after the next round of voting by MPs, when there will be fewer candidates left in the race.

Mr Johnson's closest challenger, Mr Hunt, who earlier accused Mr Johnson of "hiding away" and "not taking part in these big occasions", has also accused his predecessor as foreign secretary of a lack of credibility on the world stage.

"We cannot become the party that pulls up the drawbridge or sticks two fingers up to the rest of world," he writes in The Observer. "It has never been more important to re-engage."


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Boris Johnson Conservative Party Dominic Raab Esther McVey Jeremy Hunt Leadrship Race Sajid Javid Theresa May

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