This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Mujtaba Rahman, the head of Eurasia Group's Europe practice, highlighted how the Prime Minister is facing a backlash over alleged rule-breaking Christmas parties, as well as a rebellion over new Covid restrictions, while Labour has taken a lead in polls. Mr. Rahman said next May's local elections could be the last straw for Mr Johnson and spark a vote of no confidence if they do not go well for the Tories.
The expert said that the Chancellor and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss are favourites to replace the Prime Minister. But Mr Sunak is likely to take a less bullish approach to Brussels than Mr Johnson, according to Mr Rahman. It comes as the two sides are arguing over the Northern Ireland Protocol. In a column for Politico, Rahman said: But what if Johnson doesn't make it?
As it stands, the two frontrunners to succeed him next year are Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, both of whom are already on discreet manoeuvres due to Johnson's troubles. Sunak probably wouldn't want to risk alienating Tory members by advertising it in advance, but as prime minister he would likely adopt a more pragmatic approach to EU relations than Johnson or Truss. He would be more likely than Truss to actually'move on' from the EU and reset relations with the EU because of his approach to economic realities rather than ideology. Truss would likely stick to Johnson's hardball approach.
BBC's ex-staff line up to attack broadcaster INSIGHT GB News after Simon McCoy prepares to leave VIDEOBrexit talks to 2022 as the EU refuses to cave ANALYSIS Both sides are trying to reach an agreement that would reduce customs paperwork and the number of checks required on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, with the EU making a number of concessions to ease trade frictions. A dispute surrounding the role of the European Court of Justice continues to be a major stumbling block. In a bid to break out of the deadlock, Lord Frost has weekly meetings with his EU counterpart Maros Sefcovic.