MOST Tory voters want Prime Minister David Cameron to delay his departure until just before the 2020 election at the earliest, a new poll has found.
According to the State of the Nation YouGov poll, 55 per cent of Tories want Mr Cameron to hold off on his political exit, with 22 per cent wanting him to break his vow and seek a third term as Prime Minister.
Mr Cameron said in March that he would not seek a third term as Prime Minister but, in echoes of the approach taken by Tony Blair, who promised to leave after his 2005 election victory, has repeatedly refused to set out a timetable for his exit.
Although the move has created some concerns Mr Cameron would be seen as a lame duck leader he has only said he will remain in the post until his domestic agenda has been completed.
Amongst the wider electorate, 37 per cent of voters want Mr Cameron to remain as leader until 2020, 11 per cent want him to stay longer and 32 per cent want him to stand down before 2019.
The poll, for The Times, found only 15 per cent of Tory voters would urge him to leave office before 2019.
The poll will come as a blow to Chancellor George Osbourne, who is seen as Mr Cameron's natural successor. It found that amongst the wider public Boris Johnson was the most popular choice to succeed the Prime Minister, backed by a quarter of those polled, followed by Home Secretary Theresa May with 15 per cent support.
Mr Osbourne was third with 13 per cent. However, he fared better amongst Tory voters, coming just two points behind favourite Mr Johnson, who had 31 per cent, and way ahead of Mrs May, who polled 21 per cent.
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