Controversial Vote Leave campaigner Boris Johnson is frontrunner to lead Conservative Party

HE ONCE told a cyclist to “f*** off and die” and is famous for crazy stunts. Now the self-described “prat” could become PM.

Former London Mayor Boris Johnson is now a frontrunner in the Conservative election contest. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

HE’S a self-described “prat on a zipwire” famous for his gaffe-tastic appearances — and by September Boris Johnson could be Prime Minister of the UK.

The former London mayor is the frontrunner to lead the country after he led the Vote Leave campaign to victory in the EU referendum.

The blonde 52-year-old met with Australian strategist Sir Lynton Crosby on Tuesday who masterminded the election campaign which returned the Conservatives to power in May 2015 and saw him elected twice as London mayor.

He is backed by at least 26 MPs in the vote that will see leadership options whittled down to two before a postal vote by party members. Nominations close on Thursday at noon UK time.

The blonde politician who was born Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson in New York and has previously lived in Brussels and was educated at Eton before studying classics and embarking on a career as a journalist.

He was reportedly fired from The Times for making up a quote, but became popular as mayor of London for introducing “Boris bikes” and supporting cycling in the city.

However he’s been slammed by London’s iconic group of black cab drivers for failing to regulate Uber in the city and was filmed yelling at one to “f*** off and die, and not in that order” in June last year.

His high-profile family was divided over the referendum with his father Stanley and siblings, Rachel and Jo, all backing Remain. He is married to lawyer and author Marina Wheeler and has five children, including one from an extramarital affair.

Boris Johnson smashes a Japanese schoolboy. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP

His main competition will be Home Secretary Theresa May, who is also expected to run. She backed Remain but kept a low profile in the campaign and is seen as experienced and competent by others in the party.

On Wednesday, Work and Pensions Minister Stephen Crabb declared his intention to run for the job on a joint ticket with Business Secretary Sajid Javid.

The 43-year-old from Wales who was raised in public housing appealed to unite the party and the country and said he wanted to see the end of Leave vs. Remain labels.

While the young leader is a refreshing change from the Eton-educated Cameron and Johnson, his major shortcoming is a perceived lack of experience having been in the job “10 minutes” after replacing Iain Duncan Smith in March.

Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt were also considering entering the race.

Prime Minister David Cameron has made clear that the UK will not trigger Article 50 until the new Prime Minister is in place, raising the question of whether they will require a diplomatic mandate through a general election.

British Work and Pensions Secretary and Conservative MP, Stephen Crabb. Picture: AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL

Home Secretary Theresa May. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Meanwhile major companies have struggled to adjust to the new environment of uncertainty. Vodafone said it will consider moving its headquarters depending on the outcome. The company employs 13,5000 people in the UK but the majority of its 462 million customers come from other countries. It said the free movement of goods and services is essential to providing services.

“It is therefore not yet possible to draw any firm conclusions regarding the long-term location for the headquarters of the group,” a statement from the company said.

Labour’s leadership woes also continued Wednesday as leader Jeremy Corbyn confirmed he will stand again as leader despite losing a vote of no-confidence from MPs 172 to 40.

Shadow Business Secretary Angela Eagle is tipped to run against him.