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Voters back Boris for Tory leader

BORIS Johnson has opened up a big lead over his rivals as the politician the public would like to see replace David Cameron.

Some 34% believe the London Mayor - who announced this week that he will seek to return as an MP at the general election - should be the next Tory leader.

The YouGov poll for The Sun on Sunday found he was 19 points ahead of Home Secretary Theresa May, while Chancellor George Osborne was third favourite with just 9%.

Mr Johnson was even more popular among Conservative supporters, with 50%

backing him as the best candidate to take over.

However, those surveyed did have concerns about whether he would be able to cope with the serious duties of a British Prime Minister.

Just 7% named him as the politician they would trust most to have control of the nuclear button, well behind Mr Cameron on 20%.

The Mayor also lagged behind on who was trusted to lead Britain to war, with 12% support to the current premier's 20%.

* YouGov surveyed 2,016 adults online on August 6 and 7

* POLL: London Mayor Boris Johnson, left, has emerged as the politician voters would most like to see succeed David Cameron, right, as leader of the Conservative Party