Boris Johnson remains the overwhelming choice of Tory members to be the next party leader and prime minister despite a week of serious campaign setbacks, a new poll reveals today.
The former foreign secretary appears to have weathered the ongoing furore over what happened in a late-night altercation with his partner Carrie Symonds and an energetic campaign by rival Jeremy Hunt – who has branded him a coward.
The latest grass-roots ConservativeHome survey of members – who will decide the contest – found he was backed by 65 per cent and Mr Hunt 30 per cent – although the Foreign Secretary does seem to have gained some ground since the campaign kicked off for real.
In the equivalent poll last week, which featured the last four contenders including Sajid Javid and Michael Gove, Mr Hunt scored just 11 per cent. But he has now risen 19 points.
Calm seas ahead? Boris Johnson appears to have weathered the furore over a row with partner Carrie Symonds
Jeremy Hunt tucked into an early-morning ice cream today as wife Lucia joined him on the Tory leadership campaign trail in Bournemouth (pictured)
The latest grass-roots ConservativeHome survey found Mr Johnson was backed by 65 per cent, and Mr Hunt 30 per cent
An increasingly bullish Mr Hunt was joined by wife Lucia on an ice cream-fuelled day on the campaign trail today – the first time she has been seen since he launched his bid to be PM – as polls suggested he is gaining ground among voters in general.
An Ipsos Mori poll for the Standard today found Mr Hunt is regarded as having what it takes to become a good PM by 31 per cent of the public – while 42 per cent said the opposite.
Mr Johnson’s net rating was considerably worse on 34 per cent positive and 53 per cent negative.
But the bookies’ favourite has the advantage among Tory supporters, with 59 per cent thinking he has what it takes, compared to 53 per cent for Mr Hunt.
Mr and Mrs Hunt looked to be having a good time as they soaked up the sunshine on the beach
In the equivalent ConHome poll last week, which featured the last four contenders including Sajid Javid and Michael Gove, Mr Hunt scored just 11 per cent
The would-be PM has been enjoying the sunshine in Bournemouth as he prepares for another hustings showdown with rival Boris Johnson.
The frantic pace the self-confessed ‘underdog’ has set in the battle for the keys to Downing Street seems to be delivering results. Polls today found he had improved his standing among voters and Tory supporters – although he is still lagging with party members.
Despite the positive signs, Mr Hunt’s other half looked less than impressed with his technique as he risked guzzling down his cone in front of photographers.
Mr Hunt has been running a high-energy campaign as he tries to overhaul Mr Johnson’s advantage in the contest.
He has travelled around 2,000 miles in the past week and made a slew of TV appearances, while relentlessly trolling his competitor about his unwillingness to face scrutiny.
Mr Johnson today tried to get his faltering campaign back on track by insisting anyone who serves in his Cabinet must vow to force Brexit through by Halloween.
The Tory front runner has said cutting ties with the EU by October 31 will be ‘do or die’, and made clear every minister must be ‘reconciled’ to leaving without an agreement if necessary.
The stark warning came amid confusion over whether Mr Johnson would be willing to suspend Parliament in order to stop MPs blocking No Deal.
Mr Johnson dodged when asked whether he would use the explosive tactic last night, but his close ally Liz Truss then insisted he had ruled it out.
The huge obstacles Mr Johnson faces have also been underlined by the emergence of another attempt by Remainers to take control of the process.
Today Mr Hunt vowed to protect free TV licences for the over-75s as it was revealed almost all those to be stripped of the perk would refuse to pay.
Riding a wave: Mr Johnson is the choice for party leader and prime minister of 65 per cent of Tory members
He also posed for a selfie at the industrial site on a visit ahead of a party hustings later this evening
Anything Maggie can do…: Boris Johnson was on the Isle of Wight today where he posed in East Cowes, where Mrs Thatcher also posed for photos in 1983 (slide across to see the old photo)
Mr Johnson posed for a photograph today with workers at the Wight Shipyard Company at Venture Quay in East Cowes
Mrs Thatcher visited the same building in 1983 when it was part of the British Hovercraft Corporation
Amid growing fury about the scandal, the Foreign Secretary says he will ensure elderly people don’t have to pay the £154.50 if he wins the race to be PM.
A new poll released today says that 85 per cent of over-75s would rather go to court than pay it.
And more than one million people have signed two online petitions opposing the move with pensioners holding protests outside BBC buildings around the UK.
Silver Voices director Dennis Reed told the Mirror: ‘Many will have to choose between heating, eating and what is often their main form of company, TV.’
Mr Hunt last night pledged to ‘honour’ his commitment for the over-75s if he comes out on top of the Tory leadership contest.
‘I don’t mind the BBC having responsibility for this, I just think we made a manifesto commitment and we don’t want to start breaking it,’ he told the Daily Express.
It comes after the BBC sparked outrage by saying it can no longer afford to hand out the free package.
A poll today revealed that 85 per cent of senior citizens would refuse to pay for their TV licence.
Hunt was Culture Secretary when the government stopped funding the free licence, but claims he handed the broadcaster ‘enough money’ to keep them going, the Daily Express reports.
:: Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,043 adults in GB by telephone June 21 to 25. Data are weighted
An Ipsos Mori poll today suggested Mr Hunt is gaining ground on Mr Johnson on who the public think would make a good PM – although he still seems to be some way behind among the Tory members who will decide the winner
Mr Hunt and Boris Johnson (pictured in Westminster this morning) are due to take part in the latest hustings event in Bournemouth tonight
Mr Hunt and wife Lucia (pictured centre together) strolled along the seafront in Bournemouth this morning
PM candidate Jeremy Hunt chatted happily with locals on his visit to Bournemouth today
Boris says ALL his Cabinet ministers must back a ‘do or die’ Brexit by Halloween – as Remainers plot ‘grossly irresponsible’ bid to block No Deal
Boris Johnson today insisted anyone who serves in his Cabinet must vow to force Brexit through by Halloween – as Remainers plot a new bid to block No Deal.
The Tory front runner has said cutting ties with the EU by October 31 will be ‘do or die’, and made clear every minister must be ‘reconciled’ to leaving without an agreement if necessary.
The stark warning came amid confusion over whether Mr Johnson would be willing to suspend Parliament in order to stop MPs blocking No Deal. Mr Johnson dodged when asked whether he would use the explosive tactic last night, but his close ally Liz Truss then insisted he had ruled it out.
Mr Johnson visited Portsmouth today as he made clear every minister must be ‘reconciled’ to leaving without an agreement if necessary
The huge obstacles Mr Johnson faces have also been underlined by the emergence of another attempt by Remainers to take control of the process.
A group led by Tory former Cabinet minister Dominic Grieve is set to force a crunch vote next week on an amendment that would effectively bar the government from taking the UK out of the bloc without consent from the Commons.
Downing Street said the move would be ‘grossly irresponsible’.
‘Any attempt to deny vital funding to Whitehall departments would be grossly irresponsible,’ a spokesman said.
‘This is government spending for this financial year and funds crucial areas like schools, housing and welfare.’