Boris Johnson vows to deliver Brexit within three months, and see off Corbyn and Farage
BORIS Johnson has drawn up a secret blueprint for power to convince doubting Tories to back his leadership bid.
He will try to win over waverers with a wad of initiatives to boost NHS funding, tackle violent crime, ease the housing crisis and improve transport links.
But the hot favourite believes his biggest appeal is that he is a proven winner – who can see of both Jeremy Corbyn and Nigel Farage at a stroke.
In a series of meetings with jittery MPs, Bojo has been driving home the message that only he has the X-factor which can save them at the next general election.
He told one hesitant colleague: “I’m could be your lifeline. I’m the only candidate in this contest who can defeat both Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn.
“I’ve beaten Labour’s hard-Left twice in the London mayoral elections – and know I can do it on the national stage, too.
“We also need to deliver a proper Brexit to make sure we get all those people back who drifted off to the Brexit party.
“It’s not enough to beat one just Corbyn. We must defeat Nigel Farage, too, if we are to retain power.”
To show he means business, Mr Johnson has spent the past few months drawing up a detailed manifesto for his first months as PM.
It is packed with policies that he believes are clear vote-winners to prove he is more than a mere political showman.
He has also held a series of drinks meetings with MPs at which he constantly reminds them of his popular appeal to ordinary voters.
Bojo toppled former Mayor Ken Livingstone in 2008 to become Mayor of Labour-leaning London. He then gave “Red” Ken a second drubbing to be re-elected four years later.
One MP said: “Boris acknowledges that Ken is a far better political operator than Jeremy Corbyn.
“Having seen him off twice, he’d have not trouble taking on Jezza. He firmly believes he would smash him at a general election – and I think he’s right.”
MPs backing Mr Johnson also believe he has the charisma, intellect and communication skills to see off Nigel Farage and his fledgling Brexit party.
More than 100,000 people have become paid-up supporters of the new movement and its soaring popularity could cost Tories enough seats at the next election to hand Mr Corbyn the keys to Number 10.
Mr Johnson has learned the lessons of his failed last leadership bid when he was knifed by Cabinet colleague Michael Gove for being too disorganised – giving Theresa May a clear run for the top job.
He knows that despite being front-runner, he needs to win over his natural enemies and Remainers opposed to his plan for a no-deal Brexit if all else fails. And he has put in the hard graft over his time on the back benches.
Funding the NHS will be a key battleground at the next election – and BoJo has put extra funding at the heart of his pitch for power.
It will also deliver on a referendum promise when the Leave campaign bus said £350million a week sent to the EU could be used to fund the NHS instead.
An admirer said: “Boris is absolutely convinced that as a party that we are putting money into the NHS.
“But more importantly, we have got to make sure that the overwhelming majority of it goes straight into frontline services.
Half a million on BoJo
BETS worth close to £500,000 have been placed on Boris Johnson becoming Britain’s next Prime Minister.
Punters put on individual bets of £3,000 and £2,000 on BoJo in the hours after Theresa May announced her departure.
The odds with Betfair Exchange have Boris at 6/5, Dominic Raab, right, at 6/1, followed by Michael Gove at 10/1. The bookies have seen a total of £1.3million bet so far.
Betfair spokeswoman Katie Baylis said: “We’ve seen plenty of action on the next leader market, with 35 per cent bet on Boris.
“Those numbers should massively increase over the next few weeks.”
Three Trump rivals
By Ryan Sabey
THREE leadership candidates could steal a march on rivals — after bagging invites to the state banquet with Donald Trump.
Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove and Penny Mordaunt will be at Buckingham Palace for the June 3 event hosted by the Queen.
It’s not clear if the US leader will meet any other contenders. Sources have downplayed suggestions of a meeting with Boris Johnson.
Ex-Brexit minister David Jones said: “If the president can meet those likely to be our next PM it could be good for both countries.”
Jeremy Corbyn has refused to attend the dinner, saying the UK “should not honour a president who uses racist and misogynist rhetoric”.
But he is willing to meet Trump.
Mr Trump and wife Melania flew into Japan yesterday to meet its new emperor.
“He is determined that people will be able to see a real difference in GP surgery waiting rooms and hospital waiting rooms. A clear promise on the NHS will be right at the top of his list of priorities for swift action and delivery.”
Mr Johnson was calling MPs to ask for support within 30 minutes of Theresa May’s tearful announcement on the steps of Downing Street on Friday.
He said he was convinced he can negotiate a new Brexit deal with EU chiefs.
The former Foreign Secretary told one MP: “A new leader will have the chance to do things differently. A new administration would bring fresh momentum.”
Brexit is top of Mr Johnson’s agenda, but he believes he can deliver it within three months of seizing the keys to Number 10.
Unlike Theresa May, he would adopt a tougher negotiating position, prepare properly for no-deal and be ready to leave the EU whatever the outcome on October 31.
His blueprint will be packed with “red meat” policies to appeal to all wings of the Tory party – even Remainers who fear his “hard” Brexit stance.
He has drawn up a raft of proposals to tackle violent street crime – again pointing out that he has a proven track record in this field.
Knife crime offences fell for three years in a row when he was London Mayor – down from 14,000 to just over 9,500 between 2011 and 2015.
He is expected to back a return to stop and search and no truck with street mobs. And he wants tougher sentences for violent offenders.
Rethink on Heathrow?
BORIS Johnson will consider the future of the third Heathrow runway in his leader bid.
The ex-Foreign Secretary opposes the £14billion plan after vowing to “lie down...in front of those bulldozers”.
MPs formally chose the expansion in June last year - but Boris missed the vote to go on an official Afghanistan trip.
The Government backed the third runway at Heathrow after ruling out extending existing runways there or building a second runway at Gatwick.
Johnson wanted a new airport in the Thames Estuary.
One supporter said: “One thing that has impressed me more about Boris is his determination to be strong on law and order. That is where the Tory party needs to be more than ever.
“He’s expressed a desire to do something about the length of time repeat violent offenders spend behind bars – including a reform of how much of a sentence is actually served. All this will go down well with the voters.”
Tax cuts is high on the Bojo agenda – but he will be careful to ensure they are targeted to help the poorest
Mr Johnson will not risk being accused of lining the pockets of the rich or cutting benefits or public services to fund an extravagant giveaway.
A massive house-building blitz is being kept under wraps as one of the eye-catching “big projects” to be unveiled at his leadership launch.
But there will be a review of two major infrastructure plans – the HS2 high-speed rail link and Heathrow’s third runway.
MPs believe he will not slam the brakes on the rail link as it is so far advanced but with opinions divided in the party, Mr Johnson is keeping his options open.
Possible running mates
Amber Rudd:
WORK and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd said she has worked well with Boris before and could again.
But she also said during the referendum campaign that she would not like him to drive her home.
Chance: Fair
Michael Gove:
ENVIRONMENT Secretary Michael Gove wielded the knife against Boris in the last leadership contest despite being his campaign chief.
But he has told MPs to “face facts” over a No Deal Brexit.
Chance: Unlikely
Sajid Javid:
ENVIRONMENT Secretary Michael Gove wielded the knife against Boris in the last leadership contest despite being his campaign chief.
But he has told MPs to “face facts” over a No Deal Brexit.
Chance: Unlikely
MOST READ IN POLITICS
Migrants can expect a much more less inhibiting regime than under Theresa May. Bojo is a social liberal who will be keen to keep Britain’s doors open for business – with a welcome mat for hard-working or talented people from around the world.
He believes we need brilliant computer scientists and doctors from all corners of the globe to come here to fuel our economy and bolster our public services.
But he will deliver the strong message that post-Brexit it is Britain that is making the decisions on who can come here to work.
The Sun Says
HOW refreshing to hear big ideas from Tory leadership hopefuls after years of political stagnation under Theresa May.
Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab and Matt Hancock are staking big claims with pledges to shake up tax, launch big infrastructure projects and tackle rising crime.
Hancock is right to warn that the Tories must wake up and appeal to disaffected younger voters who want to see a proper vision for their future.
The country has been crying out for fresh ideas, but ultimately Brexit will define this leadership election, just as it has dominated our politics for the past three years.
The Tory grassroots want a clear, decisive message from able candidates on the biggest issue facing Britain.
Yet at the moment it looks like a cavalry charge of up to FIFTEEN runners, bulked out with no-hopers and some of the biggest wannabes since the Spice Girls.
Already the Tory Remainer ranks are plotting a Stop Boris campaign and among potential candidates six back No Deal, four reject it and three are in-between.
It is another sign of the size of this Tory crisis that such an absurdly large field of candidates is tolerated.
You would think a party grandee like Sir Graham Brady would be just the sort of old hand to help sort out this mess.
But he seems ready to add to it by throwing his own large-size hat into the ring.
The Tories have no divine right to government and they need to get a grip fast.
This contest is too important for petty ambitions and if they cock this up the voters will never forgive them.
... So will BoJo marry Carrie?
BORIS Johnson could become the first PM to wed while serving in Downing Street for 250 years.
The Sun on Sunday revealed last year, right, that twice married Mr Johnson is dating conservationist Carrie Symonds.
The ex-Foreign Secretary is currently the front-runner to win the Tory leadership contest in July.
Carrie, 30, left, has been at his side in recent months and attended a speech he delivered at the JCB head office in Staffordshire back in January.
Boris and wife Marina announced they were divorcing last September.
The last sitting PM to wed was Augustus FitzRoy, the third Duke of Grafton.
He served as PM from 1768 until 1770. He wed Elizabeth Wrottesley in 1769.
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