[ad_1]
Boris Johnson announced Friday that he was going to divorce Marina Wheeler, his 25-year-old wife, after the Sun newspaper revealed that he had had an extra-marital affair.
Conservative MPs have speculated that the former Foreign Secretary could "shed light" before the imminent run to the Conservatives' leadership by posting negative stories.
Given Johnson's long history, there was little sense in Westminster that the revelations would hurt his ambition to become prime minister.
"Boris is a brand. It's a phenomenon that defies all laws of political gravity, "said a former Conservative minister.
James Duddridge, Conservative MP in support of Brexit, said: "This means that all the difficulties encountered in leadership elections will be focused on issues, not on personalities. Boris remains a presumptive candidate to replace Theresa May.
As mayor of London, Mr Johnson was a relatively inclusive and pro-immigration figure, but his central role as a pro-Brexit figure in the 2016 European summer referendum made him he's one of the most controversial actors in politics. loved by the right.
advisable
Recent polls by conservative party members have suggested that it is by far the most popular alternative to Theresa May, the outgoing prime minister.
Johnson resigned from his position as Foreign Secretary this summer in an advertising leaflet, attacking his proposal on "controllers" to leave the EU. Since then, he has regularly criticized his Brexit policy.
Extra-marital affairs derailed British political careers, but in general, the person in question was a practicing minister, like David Mellor in 1992 and Cecil Parkinson in 1983. In 1997, Robin Cook, then secretary of State at Work, a case that led him to leave his wife.
Johnson's prospects could change if former partners criticized him in the media. But for now, Conservative MPs do not believe that the revelation of another case will prevent it.
advisable
The biggest hurdle for Johnson to become prime minister is generally considered to be that of Conservative MPs who, in the next leadership election, will choose a list of two candidates from which party members can choose.
Johnson's support is particularly weak among elected MPs since 2010. "They are looking for people who are not tainted in the past. The new contributions indicate that it is time to take a step forward, "said a Conservative MP and critic of Johnson.
A Conservative MP, who was elected for the first time in 2015, said: "Members who already consider him poorly in Parliament now have one of their reservations. Those who like it had already integrated a fruity personal life into the price of Boris' action. So, that does not change the fundamentals. "
