As the Tory tribe prepares to gather in Manchester, the chatter is about two things: who will succeed David Cameron and what will happen in the EU referendum. These two issues are, obviously, inextricably linked. If Britain votes Out in the EU referendum, a prospect which while still unlikely has become more likely in recent weeks, Cameron is unlikely to be succeeded by someone who campaigned for In—as Fraser points out in the Telegraph today.
But, so far, none of the expected leadership candidates have indicated that they will campaign for Out. George Osborne is one of the lead figures in the renegotiation and has always been clear that he thinks that there is a deal to be done. Theresa May, the Home Secretary, has been quiet on the European question in recent months and has said nothing to indicate she is leaning Out. Nicky Morgan has made clear that she expects to be In.
Boris, though, is the wildcard here. He has, as The Spectator reveals this week, met with the putative Out campaign and, though, not a natural Brexit man is said to think that the renegotiation is not being well handled. So, will Boris come down on the side of the Out? Well, he is unlikely to make up his mind soon; I’m told he’s not planning to say much about Europe at conference next week. Those who know Boris best point out that despite his devil-may-care persona he is surprisingly cautious and doesn’t take a risk until he absolutely has to. But which way he decides to jump come the referendum, may well determine who the next Tory leader is.
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