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    Path clears for Boris Johnson as Tories fear defeat

    A Conservative MP has told David Cameron that he would hand over his seat to Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, who is

    widely seen as a future Tory leader.

    Sir Peter Tapsell, who represents the Lincolnshire constituency of Louth and Horncastle, made the frank admission after he

    was asked by the Prime Minister if he would stay on in the Commons until the next election.

    Mr Cameron said the party could do without another by-election. The veteran MP duly replied that he was "keeping his seat

    warm for Boris".

    An increasing number of Tories believe the mayor is a potential Conservative leader, with the ebullience and popular appeal to

    win elections.

    But Mr Johnson has pledged to stay on as mayor until 2016 and could only stand in a Tory leadership contest if an MP offered

    to give up their seat after the next general election.

    Sir Peter's offer is the clearest of its kind made by a Conservative MP so far and came as Westminster was awash with

    rumours of plots by Tories positioning themselves to succeed Mr Cameron. His exchange with the Prime Minister has become

    a subject of some gossip between fellow backbenchers.

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