All fair points, I hadn't really put the problem on it's head and thought about it like that before. Boris has got away with a lot during his career.
You are correct about Gove - Tories love him!
I think Boris, if elected Tory leader, would become PM. He is the likable friendly face of the party. He is upper class without the condescending 'I'm just like you, call me Dave' act. People like him.
Lets face it, policies don't seem that important anymore. Cameron in opposition didn't...
Difficult to beat Gove (especially as his policies are significantly affecting the industry I work in). His recent suggestion of punishing kids by getting them to run around the School field is a belter - a fantastic way to put kids of sport for years to come.