Xmas is the key for him.
However, who would go against him as it stands?
Rumours of Boris leaving are part of his act. It takes pressure off him. Phew, he's going anyway, I can take a rest from picking apart his web of half-truths and shithousery.
Tories will be watching his popularity plummet, for sure. And the next election is not a lifetime away. But who indeed would run against him? The old guard being turfed out means there aren't many obvious candidates. As for the new guard, there's, uhh, not a lot of heavy hitters. Javid apart.
Boris's plan will undoubtedly be to leave it to him to be the bearer of bad news. Javid took the position with the backing of the party. He went in to reverse the mood, ease measures, and sweep all the 'doubt' away. Back to normal lads!
Boris wasn't daft. He let his biggest threat back in, gave the party what they wanted, fully knowing there was a major chance said threat would have to walk it all back very publicly. At which point, Saj would become very, very... 'unfashionable'. He'll have to take the initial outcry from party and public, and is likely to end up wearing the stench of longer term failure anyway. As the 'party's choice', they'll be somewhat declawed.
Poor Saj. He won't be enjoying it. He looked terrible in the photo I saw yesterday.