Boris Johnson's dream of becoming prime minister just got better

Boris Johnson's dream of becoming a future prime minister has been given a boost by a new opinion poll.

The Ipsos-MORI survey for the Evening Standard shows a leap in support for the Tories if London's mayor replaced David Cameron as leader.

Johnson declared his intention last week to return to Parliament at next year's general election.

The opinion poll puts the Conservatives on 33%, level with Labour. But with the mayor as party leader, support for the Tories surges to 39%.

The results are a blow for Chancellor George Osborne, seen as the mayor's fiercest rival in any leadership race.

The survey suggests the Conservatives' share of the vote would drop to 29% if the Chancellor became leader.