THERE is something to be said for having a Brexiteer at the helm of the country as we leave the European Union. We probably do need someone who genuinely believes this is the best path for the country’s future rather than someone who, in her heart of hearts, believes it to be a mistake.

However, that Brexiteer is not Boris Johnson.

He is a man without principle – look at the way he continually cheated on his wife; look at the way he belated tagged on to the Brexit cause while writing a newspaper article about the positives of remaining, just in case it was needed.

He is a man whose judgement is always questionable – his “suicide vest” analogy just the latest in a long string of ill-judged embarrassments.

But Mr Johnson is hugely entertaining. He has a sharp mind and an amusing way with words. It’s easy to see why his dishevelled anti-politician stance is popular with those who don’t follow politics closely.

But all his political games are about himself. His main reason for supporting Brexit was that he saw a route to the top job – a job he probably would have secured if his supposedly loyal batman, Michael Gove, hadn’t stabbed him in the back.

Now he is on manoeuvres again, seeing that Theresa May is desperately weak and this is his moment to strike, knowing that if he doesn’t kill her off, someone else will – and then they will steal the crown he lusts after.

It is amazing that Mr Johnson, who doesn’t do detail, has the support of any Conservative MPs when he hasn’t even begun to sketch an alternative to Mrs May’s Chequers proposals, letalone fill in the myriad complexities.

Watching the Tories tear themselves apart might have been an amusing autumn entertainment – but this is the country’s biggest political change for 70 years. It shouldn’t be about what’s best for one man – it should be handled by those who have all the nation’s interests at heart.