The former Foreign Secretary, who launched his campaign yesterday, has secured the support of 83 MPs out of a total of 234 who have declared their preferred candidate. This puts him head and shoulders above his nearest challenger, Jeremy Hunt on 34 MPs. Mr Johnson declared yesterday that he had the “guts and courage” to take the UK out of the EU by October 31 – deal or not. Related articles Boris Johnson: The tactic Tory leadership hopeful uses to win support Boris Johnson: How Tory leadership candidate revealed his ‘deep shame' However, he has one big weakness according to Ken Livingstone, who went head-to-head with Mr Johnson twice in the battle to be Mayor of London, losing both times. Mr Livingstone was the first Mayor of London from 2000-2008 but was then beaten by Mr Johnson in 2008 and 2012. The veteran left-winger said his former opponent’s weakness is that he wants to be loved by everyone, even his political adversaries. In 2012, when the pair were campaigning to be Mayor of London they had a heated debate on LBC, during which both men accused the other of being a tax avoider. READ MORE: Boris Johnson: Why Thatcher was HUGE fan of Tory leadership hopeful Boris Johnson launched his bid to be leader yesterday, polls for the first ballot opened today (Image: GETTY) Ken Livingstone on 2013 BBC documentary 'Boris Johnson: The Irresistible Rise' (Image: YouTube / N P) After the programme, it was reportedly Mr Johnson who sought to make up, Mr Livingstone told a 2013 BBC documentary ‘Boris Johnson: The Irresistible Rise’. Mr Livingstone said: “What I found amazing was here is someone who very well may be Prime Minister one day, may have to lead the nation, and he was worried that I was angry with him. “And this is a breathtaking weakness in a politician – he wants to be loved, even by the people he’s destroying.” That said, Mr Livingstone noted that Mr Johnson had other qualities that made him a “formidable opponent”. Related articles How Boris Johnson revealed decision that ‘made EU unfriendly to UK' Boris Johnson: Tory leadership hopeful claimed EU 'NEVER wanted UK' He said Mr Johnson’s humour and ability to make people feel good about themselves were powerful qualities that not many people possess. He added that these traits allow him to “get away with a lot”. Mr Livingstone told the documentary: “I recognised immediately when he said he was going to run this was going to be my most formidable opponent – because people laugh, you know. “I would never miss Have I Got News For You when he was on – I would almost fall off the chair. Mayor of London Boris Johnson and former mayor Ken Livingstone chat at the Olympic Stadium in 2012 (Image: GETTY) Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone attend the London Evening Standard Influentials Party in 2009 (Image: GETTY) “That’s a very powerful quality. “Boris makes people feel good about themselves, it’s an incredibly powerful force to have in politics, not many people have that.” Mr Johnson is currently favourite for the top job with bookmakers, as Betfair offer odds of 4/9 on the 54-year-old. Jeremy Hunt is second favourite at 8/1 while Andrea Leadsom is third at 10/1.All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility