Boris: 'refreshing parts of the public other politicos can't reach'

Frothy top? Boris Johnson visits Starbucks in Mayfair yesterday (PA)

Boris Johnson's hopes of becoming Tory Party leader were further boosted by polls showing he is much more popular than David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband.

A survey by YouGov found that the Mayor of London outscores the three main party leaders on charisma; sticking to what he believes in; being in touch with ordinary people's concerns; honesty; leadership; decisiveness; and crisis handling.

Although the "Boris bounce" from the Olympics and Paralympics may not last, the figures will encourage the Mayor's growing band of admirers on the Tory back benches. Few expect him to succeed Mr Cameron before the 2015 election, but they want him to return to the Commons then so that he could stand for the leadership if the party fails to win an overall majority.

YouGov found striking evidence that Tory prospects would soar with Mr Johnson as leader. With Mr Cameron at the helm, Labour would win a majority of 92 seats today. But if the London Mayor led his party, Labour's majority would be cut to just eight seats – almost a hung parliament. Under Mr Johnson, the Tories would win 1.5 million more votes than under Mr Cameron.

Mr Johnson's lead over Mr Cameron is biggest in London. But he would also improve Tory prospects in the Midlands and the North, where marginal seats are likely to decide the next election, and in the rest of the South. This finding will undermine the argument of the Mayor's critics, who claim he would have little appeal "north of Watford".

"The Boris bounce is simply enormous," said Peter Kellner, YouGov's president. "He is Britain's Heineken politician: refreshing parts of the public that other politicians can't reach. Even if his popularity doesn't last, it poses an awkward challenge not just to Cameron, but to Clegg and Miliband too."