Mayor to prime minister? Boris’s ambition revealed

Boris Johnson has sent the political world into a tailspin today after revealing that he wouldn't rule out making a bid for Number 10 in the future.

Speaking in an interview with the Evening Standard's Geordie Greig yesterday, Johnson said that he may not necessarily stand for a second term as London Mayor, leading Greig to ask if he would consider running for Prime Minister.

"In the immortal words of Michael Heseltine I cannot foresee the circumstances in which I would be called upon to serve in that office," he replied. "If like Cincinnatus I were to be called from my plough, then obviously it would be wrong of me not to help out."

Johnson's comments are said to have deeply shocked those in Conservative circles and have caught the imagination of political hacks with many commentators suggesting that his response is further evidence of the 44-year-old's desire to become Tory leader.

Just yesterday, he publicly called on his party to oppose Alistair Darling's 50 per cent tax rate on high earners, thus stealing the limelight from his leader David Cameron who had remained tight-lipped on the issue.

Johnson's biographer, Andrew Gimson, believes that the stage could well be set for Johnson to enter Number 10 if the Conservatives win the next election. The Tory leader has privately said that he would only serve two terms as Prime Minister and if Johnson does decide to take the Mayorship the whole way, he would have completed two successful terms at London's helm just as Cameron prepares to step down.

Writing in today's Spectator - which features an extremely complimentary spread on its former editor as he prepares to celebrate his first year in City Hall - Gimson suggests that should such a situation arise, Johnson could steal the prize from George Osborne, who as the likely Chancellor in a prospective Conservative government, would have expected to be Cameron's natural successor.

Johnson's comments have also led to speculation as to who would succeed him as Tory candidate for the London mayoralty, with the Standard putting forward a host of possible contenders.

Topping the list is Shaun Bailey, a 37-year-old black Tory candidate for Hammersmith who is considered "gifted" by those close to the party. Kit Malhouse, Johnson's Deputy Mayor for Policy is also being touted, as is Assembly member Victoria Borwick and James Cleverley, the Mayor's ambassador for young people who famously refused to stand for the position in 2004 in order to let Boris take the lead. ·