Boris Johnson is all set to be crowned leader of the Conservative Party on Tuesday. His seemingly irresistible rise to victory can be attributed to a number of factors, but most important is his tough stance on Brexit, which has struck a chord with the party membership.
‘We want clarity!’
He has stated clearly that Britain will leave the EU on October 31 with or without a deal and has a solid reputation as a Brexiteer given his prominent role in the victorious Vote Leave campaign. Whilst he is a divisive character despised by many on both right and left throughout the country, his personality and reputation amongst the membership as an unpredictable, flamboyant rogue has helped him stand out over the other more dour candidates.
Yet, Johnson has a problem. A revitalised Nigel Farage is breathing down his neck and ready to pounce. Farage has said of his latest outfit that there is ‘no difference between the Brexit party and UKIP in terms of policy’ - providing the Conservative Party’s membership with a credible right-wing alternative – and the party has already demonstrated impressive early success with victory in the European Parliament elections. Their image of a more modern, diverse and populist Ukip – whilst vacuous in policy terms – is nevertheless likely to see them access new voters that the older, more reactionary Ukip could not. They have been careful not to position themselves on anything other than a hard-Brexit. If Johnson wants to win the swathes of voters the party lost to Farage during the European Elections, it is therefore crucial that he ensures Britain’s departure from the EU before or on October 31.
