The reason I like Boris Johnson is because he is obviously very intelligent (and I have a weakness for brainy men), and the way he tends to smile and charm his way through life, through his various gaffes. At the end of the day, we know he is not perfect, but then who is? Ken Livingstone, perhaps?
If Boris wins the Tory nomination for London Mayor, the campaign will be electric, it will be about the personalities behind the politics, as well the topical issues facing Londoners. Let ‘s hope Boris’ wit and aptitude to speak his mind shines through. We need a strong character to stand up to Ken, and hopefully one that will make the contest colourful and sparky too.
Very cleverly, Boris has instantly felled critics who might have wanted to use his privileged Eton background against him, accusing him of being out of touch, by making the following statement:
I suppose I will be pilloried for being a “toff”, for representing a small section of society, and all I can say is, be my guest. I have in my 16 great-grandparents Muslims, Jews, and all manner of Christians, and speaking as a one-man melting-pot, I am convinced that in 100 years we will look back at the racism of our age and wonder, “what the hell was that all about?” just as we find it hard to understand the mindset of those who used to put “No Irish” on boarding-house doors.
Being an avid cyclist and runner, he has seen a different side to London than many politicians, though his sentiments are shared by countless others, and this is one reason why he wants to represent Londoners:
It is a woeful fact that you are more likely to be mugged on the streets of London than in New York. Almost every day I go for a run down the bemerded pavements of North London – down a stretch of road that has more CCTV cameras than anywhere else on the planet – and yet almost every day there seems to be a new giant yellow sign pleading with the public for information about the latest stabbing. No wonder people are fearful of crime, even in areas that are comparatively crime-free.
I’m hoping that as Boris was the first Tory MP to write a blog, that he will start some online interaction with Londoners, that he will spearhead one gigantic two-way conversation in London.
Would Boris win your vote too?
Boris’ personality may well win a lot of votes, but he could be an easy target for opponents.
If I lived there, Boris would get my vote hands-down. I love the guy’s irreverence, wit, and candor. Yes, he periodically makes some asinine comments over which he has to backtrack, but it shows how human he is. What a refreshing change from the drone-like politicians that permeate our world. I read him faithfully in the overseas issue of the Telgraph. So, I want to see him smite Pinko Ken.
Ian
Well I wouldn’t vote for Boris simply because i wouldn’t vote Tory – but I think on balance he’ll attract more votes than he’ll repel.
He might be an easy target, but I suspect that means that those criticising him for being him (rather than politically) may actually lose support themselves – he’s just too easy a target.
There will undoubtedly be some Tory voters who’s rather not… but there will be others, those who don’t usually vote or those who are soft LibDem or Labour voters that will vote Boris “for fun”.
Personally I’m sceptical about the idea of having “fun” administrators rather than compitant ones, but I think as a vote winning strategy it’s probably quite strong.
Why do we need a London “Mayor” at all?
I used to work in a left-wing London council, all those old Trots, and Stalinist bureuacrats will whince in exactly the same manner every 21 year old liberal student did when GW Bush annouced the ‘War on Terror’. every single time Boris opens his mouth.
God I’d love to be there, I might move back!
Well I won’t say
he couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery
he could probably organise a piss up anywhere
But that’s bot sufficient qualification for the Mayoral post – good golly miss molly
he’d probably bring London Transport to a halt with some off handed off the cuff drunken comment.
Now, I’m not saying he’s a drunk, but can you tell the difference when he is?
…Boris has instantly felled critics who might have wanted to use his privileged Eton background against him…
Ellee, you have indeed been smitten.
Boris Johnson? You must be joking. The man is a buffoon, a joke. He has come to believe in the “Boris – the loveable old rogue” character. He would be a total disaster as Mayor
Having a laugh says that Boris is “a buffoon, a joke”. So at least we would have continuity then.
Boris is a winner….if Lib Demmers switch to him. I am serious.
Ellee,
if I lived within the confines of the capital I would probably conspire to acquire as many votes as possible to my name to spend on Boris. I don’t think I could live under the shadow of the current Islamoloving, Jew hating, ultra-taxing, Royal hating Mayor.
Boris is not only an excellent MP but pretty unique in a way that people may not realise – he… what’s the word?? I mean that some MP’s won’t even acknowledge your correspondance if you write to them and are not a constituent, ie. they don’t depend on your vote. Obviously Boris cannot write to everyone but he makes no distinction – he will write if there’s a particular need or request he can contribute to and it matters not whether he can benefit from that effort. He is inclusive with ALL people. A big chunk of my recovery from an accident is down to him and his family. I do not live in Henley. He never asks me how I vote.
I’ve got it now, the word:- genuinely kind.
Philipa, I know what a soft spot you have for Boris, I am pretty confident about his chances of success too. I bet his ears are burning right now. I am glad to hear he helped you after your accident, the reasons why you have such a high regard for him.
Ken Livingstone is a miserable ‘character; Boris is a jolly one. I’m a Labour voter and I’d probably voter for him!
Boris ought to walk the Tory primary – none of the other candidates has anything to match him in the way of charisma. There are obvious questions about his running what is effectively a multi-billion-pound city state but he is wise enough to look for answers from people who are likely to know how to. He’ll make politics interesting again and gets my vote. First bit of good news from the Tories for a while.