Remembering what the Tories said about having a new prime minister without an election

It has been reported that Boris Johnson will not call a general election right away if he took over from David Cameron as prime minister.

The Guardian also reports that Johnson, who will be competing for the Conservative leadership against home secretary Theresa May, is set to negotiate a Brexit with the EU despite criticisms that he has no mandate to do so.

Which sounds awfully familiar.

In June 2007, David Cameron, then leader of the Opposition criticised Gordon Brown after plans to succeed Tony Blair, who had resigned as prime minister, were announced.

Cameron had reportedly told the Evening Standard:

If Gordon Brown is serious about wanting to listen to the people of this country then he should call a general election right now.

Tony Blair said he would serve a full term but hasn't. Gordon Brown has no mandate to be prime minister and he cannot be the change the country needs.

Gordon Brown went on to be prime minister for three years, until Cameron succeeded him in the 2010 General Election.

No mandate you say?

A new YouGov poll shows 18 per cent of the British public support Johnson, narrowly missing out on the lead to Theresa May, whose supporters come in at 19 per cent.

However, bookmakers have consistently touted Boris Johnson as the most likely to win the ministerial seat since Cameron's resignation.

HT: Mehdi Hasan

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