The question is what does Boris do next? In some ways resigning made sense as a gamble - he could get out of his marginal seat and potentially step into a safe seat vacated by an ally. But if the Tory leadership block him for being a candidate then what does he do? Stand as an independent? Stand for Mayor of London again as is rumoured (which would be a disaster for him as he’s not popular in London anymore).

I can’t see him just giving up and returning to journalism. Maybe the next leader of the tories will be an ally who will work to bring him back to “save the party” (as the party will probably be a rump party after the next election and has been shaped in his image)