Boris Johnson

I agree Annobel. I think he is pretty ruthless and has a talent for making himself popular. When you follow his career more closely I think you can see that he has made some very bad judgements and I wouldn't trust him in a position of power. I think he has done all right in London, but I think Ken Livingstone did some good things, though he could also show very bad judgement at times. Boris has the popular press on his side though whereas the press campaign against Ken Livingstone was relentless.

He's done well for London hasn't he?

I agree with you grannybug. Jesters know what's going on and how to play the crowd. I think having Boris as PM would be interesting and couldn't be worse than what we have now - and what we have had. His experience as Mayor means he wouldn't be coming into the main political arena stone cold.

That made me chuckle, anno!

I don't see BJ as a jester so much as a highly intelligent man who knows how to win popularity. I'm not fooled by the media's 'bumbling' image of him. I focus on what he says when he's being serious. He's no fool, whether or not one agrees with him. As for whether he'd make a good prime minister, I'll just wait and see. It may never happen.

Annabel I am of the same opinion. The court jester or fool is seldom what they appear to be.

Well, I have always thought that BJ was phoney and I know I'm probably in a minority of one on this thread, but I stand by my instincts.

Bags, if you really believe grassroots politicians are trustworthy, you haven't met some of the ones I have! Backstabbers on their way to higher things and I can say no more or I might be guilty of libel.

Well said, jings. It was a good article, but there were parts that left me feeling uncomfortable as well.

OMG! How do these journalists' minds work. She suggests it was all a publicity stunt! Are they born that bitchy or do they just cultivate it to make a living.

Surely the latter.

"Really hoping that he will make a giant mega gaffe this week. It will be very unfair if he emerges from the fantastic Olympics, covered in glory" Careful jess. It would be awful to join them.

Yes, I do think DC is a proper Tory, and I agree about Labour Tories too, but there's something robustly open about BJ, which DC doesn't seem to have. I think BJ is more intelligent than DC too. He writes impressively even if one doesn't agree with him. I guess that's part of the 'attraction', as it was with Thatcher. I'd hate to be in the same room as any of them though. Slimey, all three. That's politics/politicians for you. Grass roots poitical activists are usually trustworthy, I suppose, but they are usually fairly narrow-minded as well so tend to be disappointing. BJ isn't 'disappointing' whatever else he is.

Don't you think DC a proper Tory bags. I think the problem in recent years has been the extent to which the leaders of the Labour Party have been tories.

Yes, good article. Thanks for the link. I still can't help admiring him though, like the OP. I think, perhaps, his appeal lies in his not being afraid to speak up for what he believes in, even when it's unpopular. At the moment (it may change!) I feel I can like the public man even while not liking his political bent. Admiration? Not sure yet. M Thatcher I admired while hating her guts, both as a politician and as a public person. I suppose the admiration was really amazement at her ruthlessness. Nobody could accuse her or Boris of not being "proper Tories" though. You know where you stand, politically, with people like that. Can't say that with any certainty about any of the current party leaders.

A good dissection of a ruthless politician who creates an image of a bumbling fool! However, as he is Mayor of London, he won't be available to stand for a seat at the next general election. This looks like an obstacle. What about the Lords? I wonder if Cameron would want him there!

Found the guardian article quite interesting

Yes well. Thank you mamie - maybe that low self control is just an act. But act or not, comedian would be a better career choice Johnson, really.
Very scary prospect of him becoming PM. I can imagine that when the knives come out for DC, which they will, people will see BJ as "electable".
Really hoping that he will make a giant mega gaffe this week. It will be very unfair if he emerges from the fantastic Olympics, covered in glory.

this link......KISS him? Yuk.

Back to Boris....
www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/05/sonia-purnell-boris-johnson-not-prime-minister-material?CMP=twt_gu

Decided to come back for a while , it"s getting to me a bit with "himself"

BLESS ! {flag]

It's perfect on any thread jing.
One of these days I must get you to explain how you do those blue things! Can you do them on an iPad?
Don't confuse my tiny brain this week though. The tribunals have been some if the most difficult I've ever done! Plus the stress of being reappraised! I'm brain dead!

NURSE!!!!!!! They've all got out again!!!!!!

It was meant to go on 'The Word YES' thread.

Never mind.

I put that on the wrong thread.

But I can't remember which thread I meant it to go on.

Still, it does alright on here. as always.

Why does GN make me think of "One flew over the cuckoo's nest"?

J.. sweet dreams , and everyone else , I"m outa here

Nonu x