News

Tory MP warns about possibility of PM Jeremy Corbyn

 Zac Goldsmith who has warned that Jeremy Corbyn could become prime minister if Conservatives elect a "useless" leader to replace David Cameron. Picture by PA
 Zac Goldsmith who has warned that Jeremy Corbyn could become prime minister if Conservatives elect a "useless" leader to replace David Cameron. Picture by PA  Zac Goldsmith who has warned that Jeremy Corbyn could become prime minister if Conservatives elect a "useless" leader to replace David Cameron. Picture by PA

JEREMY Corbyn could become British prime minister if Conservatives elect a "useless" leader to replace David Cameron, a prominent Tory MP has warned.

Zac Goldsmith, who is running for the Tory candidacy for London mayor, cautioned his party against complacency, warning that it would be "really dangerous" to assume that the 2020 general election was already in the bag.

The need to find a replacement for Mr Cameron – who has said he will stand down as prime minister before the election – could boost Mr Corbyn's chances if the party makes the wrong choice, he said.

Asked about the impact of Mr Corbyn's election as Labour leader, the Richmond Park MP told LBC radio: "I think it would be really dangerous for people on my side of the political divide to be licking their lips with anticipation because, you know, no one expected him to be leader. There was a tsunami of support and, who knows, that could continue.

"We're going to be doing unpopular things over the next few years. For sure we'll make mistakes, every Government does. There's going to be a leadership challenge at the end of this period and we might end up picking someone useless - it's possible.

"There is a chance, no matter how slight, there is a chance that Jeremy Corbyn will be the next prime minister. And from my point of view, that is really worrying. It's worrying on... economic grounds, it's worrying from the point of view of the defence of this country."