Johnson tops to lead Tories

Boris Johnson would be voters’ choice to replace David Cameron as Conservative leader if he stood down before the next election, according to a poll.

The London mayor was the preferred candidate of 24% of those questioned by YouGov for The Sunday Times, followed by foreign secretary William Hague (14%), ex-leadership bidder David Davis (6%), chancellor George Osborne (3%) and education secretary Michael Gove (2%).

Mr Johnson was an even more popular choice as next leader among Conservative voters, with 33% naming him as the best replacement for Mr Cameron.