Former London mayor, Boris Johnson has continued to intensify campaign in his bid to become Britain’s next prime minister. Johnson was quoted as saying he would deliver Brexit on October 31 come what may, in the face of fierce opposition in parliament.
The postal ballot of 160,000 grassroots party members is expected to return Johnson, 55, as the new Conservative leader over Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt when the result is announced on Tuesday.
Any remaining ballots must be delivered by the Monday 5:00 pm (1600 GMT) deadline. Bookmakers give Hunt around a one in 15 chance of victory. While Johnson spent a relatively trouble-free Saturday, Hunt, his successor in the Foreign Office, was dealing with Iran’s seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Gulf.
Although, the centre-right Conservatives command a thin majority in parliament’s lower House of Commons and Johnson’s opponents, both within and outside the party are keen to scupper his leadership.
Opponents of Brexit, and especially of a no-deal departure, are plotting moves against Johnson.Some Conservatives have hinted they are prepared to bring down their own government rather than accept leaving the EU without a deal.
Justice Secretary David Gauke said he would quit the government if Johnson became prime minister.
He told the Sunday Times newspaper that a no-deal Brexit would trigger national “humiliation”.
President Donald Trump was also quoted as saying he spoke to Johnson on Thursday.
“He is going to do a great job,” the president said Friday.
