The Boris Strategy

Stand by! If I read Boris correctly, we might expect to see the following scenario unfold.

Boris will declare that he is himself a candidate for the leadership. He will argue that the fact that he is the incumbent, at least pro tem, is an advantage, not a disqualification. He will calculate that a significant number of other hats in the ring will split the anti-Boris vote, and that he will stand a very good chance, accordingly, of coming in the top two.

In a poll of party members, the challenger, whoever he or she might be, will come under increased and critical scrutiny and Boris will further calculate that his star power will persuade a majority that he remains their best chance of seeing a further Conservative government – and, beyond that, he will fancy his chances against a somewhat wooden Keir Starmer in a general election.

Any bets against?