Conservative leadership hopes may prevent Boris Johnson's victory now that Matt Hancock has withdrawn

"The operation Boris shows that his greatest weakness is the candidate," I entrusted the campaign director of a rival candidate. At first glance, this is a strange argument to make after Boris Johnson's powerful performance in the first round of the Conservative leadership election. But it's true.

Johnson has bent to pressure to participate in the BBC television debate next Tuesday with rival candidates, but while declaring himself "very keen" for such events, he still refuses to participate in Sunday's debate on the channel. 4.

During his first television interview since March, he told Radio 4 at lunch time that he wanted to limit "blue action to the blue". He insisted that he had made a diary interviews; in fact, he has only done one since Theresa May announced her departure. He hijacked critics of his record as Foreign Secretary, citing his past as mayor of London. In an olive branch to the detractors of the conservatives, he promised that he would likewise have a "big team" around him on Downing Street. (Subtext: good counselors will prevent me from ruining everything).

Johnson should join the event on Sunday. Admittedly, unions and conservatives found unconvincing excuses to avoid televised debates in general elections, while they had the most to lose in the lead of the group. But that does not solve the problem. We need an independent commission to set the ground rules for mandatory debates in general elections, News from the sky asked. Party leadership competitions should also be included. Although the government claims that it is the parties that are responsible for it, someone must ensure that the public gets its point of view even if it does not receive a vote when our Prime Minister or our first Minister is chosen.

Johnson's head has sparked further debate in the conservative country that all other candidates should stay away, as he is certain to win the vote of party members, regardless of his opponents in the second round . The argument is that Johnson could then start getting a better deal faster from the EU. His allies call the "vanity candidates" to withdraw.

Obviously, it would be perfectly wise for their man to avoid the scrutiny of sixteen discussion meetings for Conservative members between June 22 and July 15. (In a momentum for the leader, postal voting will begin on July 6, even if the events are still happening, which seems a bit odd to me).

Many anti-Johnson MPs are confident that he will win, which discourages some from running for a rival publicly. Their best hope is that Johnson stumbles into a debate or an interview. "It will take something really big to stop now," sighed an opponent. "Even the revelation of another case would not be enough. It's price »

To avoid repeating the error of Theresa May's coronation in 2016, Johnson's remaining five rivals should not join Matt Hanbad, who retired today. The Health Secretary, the youngest runner at the age of 40, led an energetic campaign and imposed himself as a good bet as a leader after his next match. Realistic mission accomplished.

Hanbad could still have a great influence on the current contest. He can not guarantee that the 19 MPs who supported him in the first round of voting will follow him, but his decision as to his support could propel either Sajid Javid, Jeremy Hunt or Michael Gove in a second round against Johnson. If Rory Stewart, a welcome breeze that has broadened the Conservative debate, backed the same candidate as Hanbad after his likely elimination in Tuesday's second round of voting, that person would have the momentum his rivals are currently lacking.

Hanbad, who will weigh his options this weekend, sent contradictory signals today. He had wanted to be the candidate "for the future", which would indicate Javid, but the party wanted a leader for "here and now" and the Brexit, which could lead him to Hunt or Gove.

Javid took a slow start, but an impressive start and could still become a second-place contender with the help of Hanbad. Team Saj says that if Johnson would bring a short-term boost, he would not win young, professional, and ethnic minority voters, but the Conservatives desperately need to be a long-term power party.

A member of Javid's team sent each Conservative MP a compelling article from James Kanagasooriam, who previously advised Scottish Conservatives, saying: "The demographic groups most likely to be pushed back by a candidacy from Johnson are the fastest growing regions in Britain. " Today, Johnson is probably less popular than the party as a whole among professionals, younger people, BAME voters and urban voters. Kanagasooriam suggests that a combination of Javid, Hanbad and Stewart could "go further in the Labor and Liberal Democratic countries, offering an alternative path to power."

After Sunday's debate, Hunt, Gove and Javid should meet to agree on the best candidate to face Johnson in order to direct their shots at him rather than against each other. There is no time to lose if a credible candidate "no matter who except Boris" wants to gain ground.