Will This Man Become Britain's Next Prime Minister?

MP Adam Afriyie: Britain's next prime minister?

Longtime Booker Rising readers are already familiar with moderate-conservative British MP Adam Afriyie. From The Sun (UK): "David Cameron’s landmark Europe speech [promising a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union] has scuppered a plot by MPs to replace him with a 'Tory Obama'. It was put on hold after the PM’s in-out referendum pledge won huge support."

In Britain, the prime minister can change if a critical mass of his partymates in Parliament kick him to the curb: The article continues: "Plotters hoped the coup would be led by Adam Afriyie — the first black Tory MP and a self-made millionaire from a tough London council estate [aka the projects]. The Windsor MP topped a shortlist of six, including three ministers, as he was earmarked to replicate the success of black US President Barack Obama. It was thought Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling and Tory chairman Grant Shapps would be too loyal to challenge the PM. Backbenchers included Mark Pritchard and Priti Patel. A Tory source said there were 'around 20' rebel MPs but added: 'Cameron is safe — for now.'"

The Daily Mail (UK) argues that MP Afriyie is behind the plot to oust Prime Minister Cameron: "A wealthy MP dubbed the ‘Tory Barack Obama’ has been accused of undermining David Cameron with a secret leadership bid. The Mail on Sunday has learned that multi-millionaire IT tycoon Adam Afriyie is poised to stand, should a rumoured backbench revolt force the Prime Minister to resign. Two Tory MPs have told this newspaper they were asked to sign a letter endorsing Mr Afriyie as a leadership challenger in the event of such a contest. One said Mr Afriyie’s supporters claimed 40 MPs had already signed — though his allies deny the letter even exists."

The Daily Mail article continues about MP Afryie: "Rumours have been sweeping Westminster that 55 Tory MPs plan to demand a leadership contest if Mr Cameron continues to trail Labour’s Ed Miliband in the polls [for the 2015 general election. It takes 46 MPs to write to the party’s 1922 Committee to trigger a vote of no confidence. Some MPs say Mr Afriyie sees himself as a serious leadership contender. Others claim he is a ‘stalking horse in all but name’."

MP Afriyie responds to the speculation about leading the Tories: "When The Mail on Sunday asked Mr Afriyie on Thursday if he was planning a leadership bid, he replied: ‘This is a very naughty conversation. You are being very mischievous. I supported David Cameron to become leader. I love him and want him to be leader for the next 20 years. I am going to end this conversation.’ He then hung up. On Friday, Windsor MP Mr Afriyie sent an email stating: ‘David Cameron is Prime Minister and I am concerned that the media is taking attention away from the promised referendum. We are all working hard to achieve a Conservative majority so the British people get their say on the EU.’"