BORIS Johnson has survived a vicious Tory mutiny by the skin of his teeth and now wants to “move on”.
But far from being home and dry, senior Conservatives warn he is not out of the woods just yet.
Within weeks he faces two tough byelection battles which could give the mutineers fresh ammunition.
And while the PM is technically safe for another year, plots are being hatched to change the party rulebook to allow for a fresh challenge.
Even one supportive MP told the Sun this afternoon: “I really struggle to see how he survives this.”
But how could the PM still yet go?
REBELS RIP UP THE RULES
After coming so close to mutiny, restless rebels will not want to wait a whole year until having another shot.
Read More on HOAR
Current party rules impose a 12-grace period between votes to stop Tory leaders being forced to fight endless contests.
But there will now be enormous pressure to change the system to shorten the window considerably.
Arch rebel Tobias Ellwood today threw his weight behind changing the rules.
The 1922 committee which runs the voting have already been taking soundings about whether to change the rulebook.
They came within an inch of making the change in 2018 unless doomed Theresa May fell on her sword, which she did.
CABINET COUP
Before the rebels get the chance for a second strike, Cabinet Ministers could take matters into their own hands and show their boss the door.
While they have no formal power to remove the PM, a series of resignations would almost certainly be too big a blow to sustain.
Margaret Thatcher vowed to fight on after narrowly winning her own confidence vote – before quitting two days later after a Cabinet coup.
While Boris has packed his top team full of ultra loyalists like Nadine Dorries and Jacob Rees-Mogg, ambitious ministers could pull the trigger.
BORIS THROWS IN THE TOWEL
While unlikely it is not totally unreasonable Mr Johnson decides to call it a day and quit himself.
Bruising byelection defeats in Tiverton and Wakefield later this month could sap his stomach for the fight and prompt him to chuck in the towel.
Critic Andrew Bridgen has called on the PM to resign with pride at his achievements rather than limp on wounded.
Ending his political career would also allow Mr Johnson to focus on his lucrative love of writing and finish his book in Shakespeare.
