Boris Johnson, who was just two years old when he opened the champagne and was reelected with an overwhelming majority of 80 votes.
There are not many Conservatives celebrating right now. The Prime Minister has been helping to raise the bar for a large number of Conservatives in Last Chance Saloon.
Boris is widely regarded as a serial lying liar. He trails significantly behind third-rate opposition according to polls. These also show that 75% of voters reject his claim that Downing Street’s Christmas party last year was held within Covid guidelines.
How can it be that one of his own backbenchers deplores the inconsistent coronavirus restriction as an attempt at diverting attention from claims about incompetence, cover-up and other allegations?
We hope the Prime Minister, as he snuggles with his toddler and newborn daughter in Central London’s most beautiful wallpapered apartment, will stop to think about the Rake’s Progress which took him from victory to near disaster in less than a month. Even the apartment is becoming a source to discomfort. The wallpaper was paid for by who? Who paid for the wallpaper and when?
Although it may seem trivial, Boris could be censured again. A few wallpaper rolls could end the prime ministership. We should, considering that Al Capone received a modest tax return. We’ll see.
Boris is widely regarded as a serial lying liar. He trails significantly behind third-rate opposition according to polls. These also show that 75% of voters reject his claim that Downing Street’s Christmas party last year was held within Covid guidelines
A Conservative for decades, I am bewildered at the chaos that threatens the Prime Minister’s position, as well as the Red Wall seats and the Government.
Boris is not a person Tory MPs hold in high regard. They have clung to him because he’s a winner and a rock star who the public were prepared to indulge – even when caught out in conduct that would have destroyed the career of a less charismatic politician. For how long?
Saving Boris will require ruthless action – from him.
You could tell the truth more often, he could begin. In 1966, Harold Wilson won by a larger margin than Boris. However, he was permanently damaged by constant accusations of lying.
“How do you know when Harold Wilson lies?” The joke went. Answer: His lips move.
The flat has become a source for discomfort. The wallpaper was paid for by who? Who paid for the wallpaper and when?
Boris now finds himself in this sort of dilemma. When a politician displays such disdainful humour, the end of the road will be visible. People were initially entertained by Boris’s exaggerations about his private life. Now? For all too many – burdened with rising taxes, steepling living costs and an endless tide of Covid gloom – the joke’s gone sour.
Boris’s entourage, of which ‘lightweight” seems generous, is another. These people must also be changed.
Leadership doesn’t necessarily have to be a master of details. However, they can have close friends who are. Ronald Reagan was a president of America who I was familiar with. His method, however, was very broad. Reagan was a chair-of-the-board leader and had exceptional people at his table.
Jim Baker was another friend from my youth who kept the administration in order and knew everything.
Margaret Thatcher also needed a strong, experienced back-up.
Although it may seem trivial, Boris could be censured again. A few wallpaper rolls could end the prime ministership. It was only a small tax return for Al Capone that made it possible to end a prime ministership. We’ll be watching.
William Whitelaw was my protege and I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity. He didn’t take any nonsense away from Mrs T no matter how abrasive. His pride was in telling Mrs T what she needed, even in military terms.
He told her during the Falklands war: “Don’t shout about them when they bring bad news to you, they won’t ever give it again. And you have to be able and willing to learn that.”
Margaret said once, “Everyone needs to have a Willie.”
Boris’ Willie: Dominic Raab seems to be the one who is responsible for this mess as Foreign Secretary. Do we all need Raab? It’s not something I believe everyone needs.
Boris must be a brilliant man. If he doesn’t want to deal with the details, then he needs to surround himself with strong-minded, skilled, and experienced people. Raab and Priti patel’s rickety Cabinet are not a substitute.
Boris’s Willie: Who are you? Dominic Raab (a man without redeeming qualities) seems to be it. He made such a big mess out of his position as Foreign Secretary
Boris should also consider recruiting adults for key advisory positions at No 10 and not just sniggering teens.
Willie Whitelaw held the Military Cross for valor. Denis Healey was the beach master at Anzio. This is a sobering thought.
It is true that there are some talented Cabinet Ministers within today’s government. But shouldn’t we see more Rishi Sunak? An intelligent, financially educated, and friendly man. Liz Truss is already preparing to be the next Margaret Thatcher. Liz Truss at least is Conservative. Nadhim Zahawi is an exemplary businessman, who has the ability to make things happen and is trustworthy and eminently likeable.
If Boris is wary of tall poppies, he needs to grow up – and quickly. It’s possible that Boris thinks that the lack of an obvious successor will make him more successful, but that isn’t always true.
Boris, the historian, might be interested in the 1963 demise of Harold Macmillan (Old Etonian Prime Minister)
It is true that there are talented Cabinet Ministers within today’s government, but should we not be seeing Rishi, an intelligent and financially literate man, more?
Macmillan, despite his wealth and smooth pragmaticity was doomed. He was being swept away by the tide. Sir Nigel Birch (another Old Etonian Conservative, who helped him to his end) was the catalyst. He cited The Lost Leader, an obscure Browning poem and enthralled the House of Commons.
We will never see him again!
You would feel doubt, anxiety, and pain.
Forced praise on our part – the glimmer of twilight,
You will never be the same confident person again.
Macmillan eventually resigned, and there was no clear successor. The Lords had to take Alec Douglas Home to them. It was not a happy ending, no one believes.
Boris is at the helm and can there be a happy confident morning?
This Thursday sees a by-election for the safe North Shropshire seat of Owen Paterson, whom Boris – with typical clumsy recklessness – tried to save from the consequences of what a Commons disciplinary committee called an ‘egregious’ breach of parliamentary rules on sleaze.
This Thursday sees a by-election for the safe North Shropshire seat of Owen Paterson, whom Boris – with typical clumsy recklessness – tried to save from the consequences of what a Commons disciplinary committee called an ‘egregious’ breach of parliamentary rules on sleaze
The disillusionment of the Tories could become terminal if they lose this.
Boris mocks Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer but Starmer isn’t always right. He used some smart buttons in a Friday interview.
‘The question… for the Cabinet, for Ministers and for all Tory MPs is are they prepared to endure the next two years of degradation, of themselves and their party, being put out to defend the indefensible, and bringing themselves and their party into further disrepute?
‘Because this isn’t going to change – he’s unfit for office, it isn’t going to change.’
We are waiting for the response from the Prime Minister. What is Boris Johnson’s response? That is up to him.
Boris mocks Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer but Starmer isn’t always right. A Friday interview in which he spoke out about his clever buttons was published.