BORIS Johnson has leapfrogged the competition to become favourite for next PM - after apparently teaming up with Remainer Amber Rudd.

The top Brexiteer is in pole position to take over from Theresa May as Tory leader later this year, bookies said today.

His chances were posted following reports that Boris is planning to run on a joint ticket with Ms Rudd.

Jacob Rees-Mogg backed the pair today and warned that the Tories would have to unite Brexiteers and Remainers to take on Jeremy Corbyn.

But leadership rivals are also gearing up to challenge the Johnson-Rudd dream ticket - nicknamed "Bamber".

Allies of Boris have told the press he wants Ms Rudd, the Work and Pensions Secretary, as his running mate - making her Chancellor if he wins.

One MP told the Mail on Sunday: "Amber would take half the party with her, while Boris is the man you need to beat Corbyn at a General Election."

A pal of Ms Rudd told the Sunday Times she thinks Mr Johnson is the best candidate to save marginal seats like hers - she has a majority of just 346 in Hastings & Rye.

The two big beasts have publicly clashed in the past - but they're understood to retain cordial personal relations.

Mr Rees-Mogg, a firm backer of Boris, today said that having Ms Rudd on his side would help bring the party together.

He told Sky News: "I've always thought highly of Amber Rudd, she's a very long-standing friend of my sister's and a person of first-class capabilities.

"We will need all the talents who are arrayed within the Tory party, and not just those of Brexiteers."

This morning Ladbrokes declared that Mr Johnson is favourite to be the next Conservative leader at 4/1.
He is followed by Dominic Raab, Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt.

A number of rivals have laid out their stalls this weekend.

Ex-Brexit Secretary Mr Raab wrote for the Mail on Sunday attacking Mrs May's handling of talks with Brussels.

Allies of Sajid Javid briefed the paper that he is the candidate best placed to win over crucial swing voters.

Matt Hancock called on the party to do more to appeal to young people - while Liz Truss made a direct pitch to Tory activists, demanding they be given a greater say in deciding policy.