THERE is no overwhelming favourite to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, according to Tory MP Philip Davies.
The MP for Shipley told GB News: “I don’t think there’s any sort of overwhelming favourite and therefore there’s there’s always the scope, certainly in a Conservative Party election, for somebody to come through the middle or somebody who’s relatively unknown to the public to shine over the next couple of weeks.”
“The only difference is with say David Cameron is that it’s a lot easier for somebody unknown to take over as leader of the opposition because they’ve got then four years or so to establish themselves with the public and prepare for government,” he said.
“Obviously, whoever wins this contest is going to go straight in as Prime Minister and that’s a very, very different thing altogether. So it makes it harder, I think, for somebody who is not well established to win the contest, but it is by no means impossible of course.”
Mr Davies also said he felt it was right for the PM to remain in post until a successor is found.
“I don’t see any argument why Boris shouldn’t continue,” he said. “I don’t understand this idea that he should have to step down straight away.”
“When Theresa May resigned in similar circumstances, she had to carry on and nobody batted an eyelid about that, when David Cameron resigned, he carried on until we found a successor and nobody batted an eyelid about that either.
“What always happens is that the current Prime Minister and the current leader stays on until a successor has been chosen.
“Aside from people who are just super hostile to Boris, they’re sort of blinded by it. I don’t really see any arguments or reason why Boris shouldn’t continue until a successor has been found.”
Asked during an interview on Breakfast with Stephen Dixon and Anne Diamond on GB News if it was time to elect a newcomer, Philip said: “I don’t think there’s any sort of overwhelming favourite and therefore there’s there’s always the scope, certainly in a Conservative Party election, for somebody to come through the middle or somebody who’s relatively unknown to the public to shine over the next couple of weeks.”
“The only difference is with say David Cameron is that it’s a lot easier for somebody unknown to take over as leader of the opposition because they’ve got then four years or so to establish themselves with the public and prepare for government,” he said.
“Obviously, whoever wins this contest is going to go straight in as Prime Minister and that’s a very, very different thing altogether. So it makes it harder, I think, for somebody who is not well established to win the contest, but it is by no means impossible of course.”
He told GB News there have been surreal scenes in Westminster but said that he definitely was not a contender.
Philip said: “I don’t want a job. I said in my maiden speech in Parliament that I wouldn’t accept a promotion and that certainly hasn’t changed in the last 17 years so I’m in a good position.
“I don’t want a job. I’m not horse trading for anything. I just need to pick who I think is the best person for the country and for my constituents and I genuinely don’t know who that is.
“I mean, I’m pretty straight shooter, I like to think, and so if I was supporting a particular candidate I’d be perfectly happy to tell you privately and publicly but I genuinely don’t know who that is and why – I don’t even know who’s running yet, to be honest.
“So I will see who the runners and riders are. I will speak to them all personally and then I’ll decide who I think has got the best programme for the country in my constituency, but I genuinely don’t know who that is at the moment.”
