Borismania hits Birmingham Conference

"The Mayor of London blew into its conference in Birmingham, a hurricane of blond hair, media attention and other people’s speculation about his prospects of one day taking David Cameron’s job. His reception – in a city not noted for its Tory support – was more suited to a rock star than a politician, with crowds of passengers chanting his name at New Street station. At the conference centre, he was surrounded by a scrum of cameramen and photographers so intense that one was thrown to the floor and required medical attention." - Daily Telegraph

• "The mayor's appearance at the ConservativeHome fringe meeting - entitled "Boris 2012: Re-elected and Olympotastic" - was preceded by a promotional film entitled "Mission Imborrisible", featuring, among other things, footage of the London mayor trapped on a zip wire at an Olympic event in East London." - BBC
• "Boris Johnson shored up his position as the strongest successor to David Cameron as Tory leader when he delighted the Conservative conference by voicing support for the return of grammar schools." - Guardian
• "He said ‘some people object’ to the 11 plus, which divides pupils at that age, but he said it should be possible to select at later ages. And in a clear hint that he wants a wider national role, Mr Johnson concluded: ‘As far as party policy is concerned I’m not in a position to do this – yet.’" - Daily Mail
• Ken Clarke says Boris "is not serious enough" to be PM - Daily Telegraph