[MTVN]

David Cameron has told the BBC he will not serve a third term as prime minister if the Conservatives remain in government after the general election.

The PM said if re-elected he would serve the full five years of another Parliament and then leave Number 10.

After that, he said, "it will be time for new leadership".

Mr Cameron tipped Home Secretary Theresa May, Chancellor George Osborne and London Mayor Boris Johnson as potential successors.

In an interview with BBC deputy political editor James Landale, Mr Cameron described the three Conservative heavyweights as "great people" with "plenty of talent".

James Landale said the PM's comments would "electrify the election campaign".

"Not only will this kick-start a lengthy Tory leadership contest, it will also send a message to voters that if they back the prime minister now, he would not go on and on as some previous prime ministers had done," he said.

"But it is quite a gamble. There is a risk that some voters will think Mr Cameron is being arrogant for presuming the result of an election that could see him dismissed from Downing Street in a matter of weeks."

The prime minister said during the interview he felt his job was "half done" with the economy "turned round" and that he wanted to "finish the job" of education and welfare reform.

But he said: "There definitely comes a time where a fresh pair of eyes and fresh leadership would be good, and the Conservative Party has got some great people coming up - the Theresa Mays, and the George Osbornes, and the Boris Johnsons.

"You know, there's plenty of talent there. I'm surrounded by very good people."

More here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32022484

Be interesting to see how this alters the election campaigning, will voters like Cameron's commitment to leave after one more term or will he be see as arrogant for announcing this now? Should we have restrictions anyway on the number of terms a PM can serve like a lot of countries do?

Poll added for the preference of replacement Tory leader

[Kazanne]

Oh that's a shame,I like Cameron,but would like to see Boris there.

[arista]

Yes at least he is more honest than Blair was.

[Z]

I don't think he's been a particularly effective leader; yet he's somehow better than Miliband and Clegg. I'd like to see Theresa May take the helm, she's quite decisive and I think it's about time one of the major parties had a strong leader, it's been a while since any of them had that.

[LeatherTrumpet]

boris is a shoe-in

[MTVN]

May would be my last choice of the three. Can't stand her, far too arrogant and dreams of running the Home Office like a dictator. I don't like Boris either and the harmless buffoon character he portrays. Osborne is not an ideal choice but I do think he's the best of a bad bunch and has come on massively the last 5 years.

[LeatherTrumpet]

or Nigel....

[Z]

I think Theresa May is an arrogant arsehole but I also think she has a decisive vision which, after the dismal display of the last five years, would be far better than what we have now.

[Toy Soldier]

Book-fiddler Osborne as pm. Absolute ****ing nightmare.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Book-fiddler Osborne as pm. Absolute ****ing nightmare.

lol it will never happen for Mandelson light

[Shaun]

Boris is a total joke and would turn us into a diplomatic laughing stock. Osbourne is basically a posher Cameron. May is the best of the three but that's not a great endorsement.

[LeatherTrumpet]

i will tell you right now

its Boris

do not fight it

[JoshBB]

Boris does not know what he is doing

In the london assembly he does not listen to anyone there.

[Kizzy]

None of that shower of sh*te.
They're all bent, I can't think of one that hasn't been involved in some scandal or another.

[Mystic Mock]

Lets pray that Cameron doesn't get a second term yet.

Tbh it would have to be Theresa May as their next leader as the others are so incompetent in the party.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

None of that shower of sh*te.
They're all bent, I can't think of one that hasn't been involved in some scandal or another.

Trust you

[Scarlett.]

Wont serve a second term either, fingers crossed

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Trust you

Yes trust me to tell the truth, is there a high profile conservative that hasn't been involved in some scam, cover-up, fraud, dodgy business deal, or some other corrupt activity in their career?
If there is then I say that one.

[Kizzy]

I'm not serving a third term so calm down dear!




(check out the chopping board)

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/...ish-seats-live

[bitontheslide]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Yes trust me to tell the truth, is there a high profile conservative that hasn't been involved in some scam, cover-up, fraud, dodgy business deal, or some other corrupt activity in their career?
If there is then I say that one.

Equally, the same statement could be levelled at all the political parties.

Any leadership contest could potentially be up to 8 years away. The strong likelihood is that any new leader will be a complete unknown at the moment. The reason unknowns always do well is because they have less baggage on display. Who knew Thatcher before she became leader, Ian Duncan Smith anyone, William Hague? Enough said

[Kizzy]

If there were corrupt MPs in other parties after position as leader my stance would be exactly the same.
But logically we can only deal with this party as that is the topic of discussion and I based the relevance of my post on the candidates in this instance.
The previous leaders of all parties are of course known it's not a position where you jump in at the top, they will have risen through the ranks before challenging for the position of party leader.

[MTVN]

I think what kizzy is trying to say is that she'd like to see Eric Pickles as next Tory leader

[Shaun]

I think that's what everyone's saying.

[Kizzy]

Seriously though, is this the cleanest tory we can find?

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Shaun

I think that's what everyone's saying.

I'm not saying owt to you! gerrawash







jk