An interesting question.
My view has always been that JC was somewhat baffled at being thrust into the front line as he was, having shown neither a shred of aptitude for frontline politics, or equally, a shred of interest in ending up there, so I have always been convinced that a defeat will be a blessed relief for him, he can resign and return to being a backbench agitator, which is all he has ever been, and all he is suitable for.
If the unthinkable happens, and they win, he may have to stay on because he huffed about being 'ready and willing' to do so, when clearly he is actually neither.
Interesting times - let's reconvene here on Friday morning ...