London mayor Boris ‘eyes’ Cameron’s seat

LONDON - Reuters

London Mayor Boris Johnson leaves the Global Investment Conference 2013 in London May 9. Mayor Johnson eyes Cameron’s seat, according to the ex-aide of the PM. REUTERS photo

British Prime Minister David Cameron’s position is under threat from the mayor of London, who is waiting for him to “fail miserably” at the next election so he can take his job, the leader’s former communications chief has said.

In a rare foray into politics, Andy Coulson said he thought Boris Johnson, the British capital’s flamboyant mayor, was playing a waiting game, hoping Cameron would lose the 2015 election so that he could assume his role as leader of the Conservative party.

“Stabbing David, or anyone else for that matter, in the back would be distinctly off brand - just not very Boris,” Coulson wrote in GQ magazine in an article to be published today. “He would much prefer to see David fail miserably in the election and ride in on his bike to save party and country,” he added, referring to Johnson’s preferred mode of transport. Known for his colorful turn of phrase and unruly mop of blond hair, Johnson, 48, was credited with playing a key role in last year’s successful London Olympics, and supporters say he has the electoral appeal that cuts across party lines.

Cameron, who leads a two-party coalition, is under growing pressure from his own lawmakers over his stance on Britain’s membership of the EU and his decision to press ahead with gay marriage legislation.