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COMMENT: Boris Johnson took us out so he should be one to finish Brexit job

Let's get one thing straight. Boris Johnson won the EU referendum for the Leave camp.

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In a campaign where soundbites ruled, the Boris machine was perfectly placed to reign as king, writes Peter Madeley.

Now that the referendum debate is over, it is time for the Government to focus on crafting Britain's future outside the EU.

The party is set to pick a new leader following David Cameron's resignation announcement, with Mr Johnson likely to be a candidate in a two-horse race.

But there is a nagging doubt over whether he has the right qualities to guide the country through what is certain to be a tumultuous period.

Britain's exit from the EU will take years of discussions. The Prime Minister will need to be a skilled negotiator with the ability to put forward the country's case without backing us into a corner.

Our decision to leave the bloc will not have made us any new friends in the Brussels corridors of power. A strong hand will be required.

In hindsight the EU referendum was tailor made for Boris Johnson. With his shaggy mop and ready smile, he was always likely to be a major hit during the hundreds of whistlestop public appearances he made.

Questions will be asked over whether he has the attention to detail required to carry Britain through this period of uncertainty. The next Prime Minister will have to make some difficult decisions that require considered thought and cannot be glossed over with a witty remark.

But the bottom line is that Mr Johnson has a groundswell of support among the British public that can be matched by no other politician.

He also has a major plus in his camp in the shape of Michael Gove. The Justice Secretary was considered a possible contender himself, although he will now be content to pull the strings as a key player in Mr Johnson's team.

Theresa May appears to be the only other viable candidate. The Home Secretary kept her own counsel for much of the EU referendum debate, despite backing the Government's Remain position.

She will be popular among the anyone-but-Boris crusaders, but it is hard to get away from the fact that her failure to reduce immigration was the main reason that Remain lost the EU referendum.

Mr Johnson got us into this position, it should fall upon his shoulders to carry us through to the other side.

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