Tory leader runners and riders: Who could replace Theresa May?

Theresa May has granted herself a brief reprieve by saying ‘sorry’ to Conservative MPs. But while the Prime Minister’s apology won her some breathing space, in the long term little has changed: the PM’s Downing Street days are numbered. Who could be next in line to take over as the new Tory leader?

Boris Johnson

Boris remains the bookies’ favourite despite being badly bruised by last year’s bungled bid for the top job. The Foreign Secretary has thrown his weight behind May for now. It’s difficult though to ignore George Osborne’s assessment that Boris is in a ‘permanent leadership campaign’. Boris knows he has popular appeal on his side and his back-to-back wins in London prove he is a smart bet for a party hoping to gain ground in Labour-voting areas. For Tories eager to avoid another ‘glumbucket’ election campaign, Boris also remains the wise bet. But there’s no doubt that the Foreign Secretary would be a controversial choice: his leave credentials could prove problematic, not least Vote Leave’s £350m Brexit pledge to the NHS.