unfortunately neglects to mention that it is the fate of the LibDems which is more likely to determine the result of the next GE than whoever happens to be leading the Conservative (or, indeed, Labour) Party. if the LibDem vote collapses across the board, then both Conservatives and Labour will benefit with (very broadly) Labour getting the Dems and the Tories the Libs. If it collapses in "Labour" areas, but not in "Tory" areas, then Labour will benefit massively at everybody else's expense (in England, at any rate*) - and vice versa. (* Which, of course, is likewise not mentioned in this analysis - namely, the role of the Nats in Scotland and Wales in chapping away at Labour's Celtic heartlands.) Johnson's bubble will pop as soon as he has to face any sort of sustained questioning. I suspect he knows this, and will be content to remain the king over the water. That way he gets lots of publicity, but without the danger of prolonged scrutiny. Its almost forgotten now, but his initial response to the riots in London was pathetic, and he was, to say the least, not universally popular on the streets. He's good at taking credit when things are going well, but in a crisis? We need a figure like him who, similarly to Thatcher, is determined to govern on behalf of Brits across all socio-economic groups, and end the division that has reared its ugly head again across this country over the past 20 years.