Boris Johnson will take on a major role to help David Cameron at the general election — but on his own terms.
London’s Mayor will stage solo rallies and join the Prime Minister in marginal seats around the country, possibly starting as early as next year.
But sources say he will flatly rebuff attempts by Mr Cameron’s circle to persuade him to accept a formal Conservative party campaigning title, such as vice-chairman.
The Mayor does not want to be typecast as a “cheerleader” for the embattled Tory leader, which would demean his status as the capital’s leader.
“He would not want to be painted as a cheerleader, he is a big beast in the party,” said a source close to the Mayor, adding: “For that reason he would be loath to accept a formal title, preferring something more fluid.”
Senior Tories see Mr Johnson as a secret weapon to attract voters who are put off by the Tory party image.
Mr Cameron’s supporters want him to sign up for a programme of visits and rallies that would start next spring, a year before the May 2015 general election. They would prefer him to accept a party title.
A senior Tory said: “Boris is a big asset. We would like to see him begin a year before the election and travel around the country.”
He said getting Mr Johnson on the campaign trail early might deter speculation about the Mayor’s leadership ambitions, adding: “It would discourage stories about Boris supposedly casting around for a seat of his own if he is on the road campaigning for David.” The source close to Mr Johnson stressed that the Mayor strongly supported Mr Cameron. “He has always said that he is determined to see a Conservative majority in 2015 for a party led by David Cameron. And he will do all he can to make that achievable,” said the source.
However, leadership speculation may be fuelled rather than stopped if “campaign Boris” boosts Tory fortunes at what MPs predict will be a tough election to win.
Recent YouGov research found that if Mr Johnson was made leader, Ed Miliband’s lead over the Conservatives would be obliterated at a stroke.
He would also attract a third of Ukip supporters away from Nigel Farage’s party.
Read More
Talks between Mr Cameron and Mr Johnson on his election role have not yet taken place but senior party figures have raised the issue informally.
