Boris Johnson declares bid for Tory leadership

Foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, revealed he will be a candidate to replace Prime Minister Theresa May as Tory Party leader in the next stage of Brexit negotiations.

The news publicized on Thursday after Mr Johnson addressed attendees at the British Insurance Broker’ Association event in Manchester.

“I”m going to go for it. Of course I’m going for it,” he said. “I don’t think that is any particular secret to anybody. But you know, there is no vacancy at present.”

Countdown for Theresa May

The prime minister has said she will step down as Tory leader before the next stage of Brexit negotiations. However, no date has been set on her departure. She is also immune to a leadership challenge until December 2019, after winning a vote of confidence last year.

Read: Theresa May survives confidence vote

When questioned whether he intends to replace Theresa May as prime minister, the foreign secretary replied: “There’s no vacancy. On the other hand, what I will say is that there has been a real lack of grip and dynamism in the way we’ve approached these talks.

“We’ve failed over the past three years to put forward a convincing narrative about how we exploit the opportunities of Brexit.

“All I can say, as tactfully and usefully as I can, is that I have a boundless appetite to try and get it right, and to help the country to get on the right path.”

Second Referendum Squabbles

Politicians representing ‘remain’ have been discussing the possibility of a second referendum. However, Boris Johnson noted that democracy must not be ignored.

“People would feel really outraged that they’re being frogmarched to the polls again by the establishment. I think they’re wrong. They’re barking up the wrong tree, and it would be giving encouragement to the Scottish Nationalists who also want a second referendum.”

He added: “They had a discussion, … a long careful think about it. It’s contemptuous of people’s opinions to say that they were incapable of making up their minds.”