Boris Johnson

And if you only make a decision on what DC gets then it will hardly be informed. That is what is worrying me.

If I decide to vote leave, then what happens? It isn't at all clear to me the way forward after that.

Nobody can make an informed decision, nor should they until Mr Cameron has finished his negotiations and we know what is on the table.

Sovereignty? What does that mean?

If Boris, according to caocao, is going to be on the side which gives him the best shot at PM, then he has got a trciky job deciding.

I think it matters which side of the fence he comes down on, because he, to me anyway, has dithered so long that he has probably lost some effectiveness whichever side he ends up choosing.

Boris is very bright, I quite like his bumbling, good natured non-stuffy manner but I was put off when I read this week that he has waved through lots of building schemes in London even when local opinion has been against them. At the moment a group of people (historians, architects etc Dan Cruikshank and others) who care about London are currently up in arms about a demolition/development project that would be detrimental to the historic Spitalfields area. I'm not sure if he's staying on the fence because of his career - at least he's pressing Cameron to have sovereignty higher on the agenda.

I don't think that expressing personal views about public figures, who allow themselves to be in the limelight, is character assassination. Pretty sure Boris wouldn't give a damn about my opinion of him.

Let's get serious about Boris, then.

"In recent years Boris has also championed so-called Housing Zones, where he says he will build over 50,000 homes. But take account of estate regeneration and the net increase in all types of homes is actually 3,100 lower than the Mayor claims.

Then there is the change in tenure. New studio flats for sale from £350,000 aren’t much use to the existing tenant living off the state pension or the London Living Wage. At the Heygate, after 1,034 council homes are demolished, just 82 new new homes will be let at social rents with secure tenancies. Other ‘affordable’ homes will come with much higher rents, or be sold to people with much higher incomes.

The Heygate may be an overused example, but the wider picture in London is even worse.

I’ve obtained figures from City Hall planners showing that across London there are currently 214 estate regeneration schemes with planning permission, either in progress or not yet started. These figures reveal that after homes are demolished and replacements built, there will be an overall net loss of 7,326 social rented homes across London."

Boris's record on housing in London.

From this link.

www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2016/02/09/boris-johnson-and-the-social-cleansing-of-london-s-estates

Really bothered about the people in London, I don't think.
Can you imagine if he were PM? How many social homes would be lost?
Still rather have him than Corbyn? At least Corbyn realises that all people need houses, not just the wealthy.

Can you imagine anyone but Boris wearing that hat, looking like a down and out? Who told him that turning up at Downing Street looking like that would be a good idea?

I notice that Tim Montgomerie has left the conservative party because of Cameron's stance on Europe, and because they are not conservative enough. I do not know if he left before or after Boris's farcical appearance, but it can't have helped.

at Steve Bell Cartoon

lol

Undoubtedly a talented writer and said to be a good ambassador for London. The Tory party made sure a good team was put into his office to run the show leaving him to be the front man. I agree with others that his bumbling teddy-bear image is a deceptive front. He was in the Bullingdon club alongside the PM and the Chancellor, as per that famous picture. So if he was leader of the Tories then it would be more of the same - PR, lies and lack of compassion. But that is the job he's after. That's why he's gone back into parliament.

I agree with white wave. I think he's as crafty as a lorry load of monkeys.

I like him, I like the fact that he knows we know he isn't the buffoon he presents as, and unlike others I like his charm. I don't know about PM though ... although there is little doubt he could run intellectual rings around most of the world leaders, intellect appears to be low on the list of requirements these days!

wouldn't trust him further than I cd throw him - self-serving schemer, using his 'charm' ruthlessly to cloak his ambition. he makes my skin creep.

Not sure he is really fit to be Prime Minister, I find it hard to forget his University behavior.

The Tories have some excellent better young talent in the wings, many of whom are females. Perhaps DC should not stand down unless he loses the next General Election.

He probably is sitting on the fence but he is no fool and no comparison to Trump. And I'd prefer BoJo to Corbyn as PM any day.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tom-pecks-sketch-imagine-what-boris-told-cameron-about-his-voting-intentions-a6880021.html

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2016/feb/17/steve-bell-on-david-cameron-boris-johnson-and-the-eu-cartoon

Does it actually matter which side of the fence Boris is on?
Is anyone on here going to decide which way they will vote because of what Boris says?
He only has one vote, just like the rest of us.

I await retribution from the government for that statement.
If I'm not on GN again, you'll know why.

obieone - I think he'll be on whichever side he decides will give him best shot at being PM.

What a buffoon! Too many people equate being well spoken with intelligence

Durhamjen, Its all in the phrase you use, and your phraseology could be construed as a 'hate crime'!

Don't fall for the buffoonery. He's a smart and ruthless operator and was neatly exposed by the blessed Eddie Mair in his interview.

Husband thinks he's hedging his bets and will jump whatever way will get him a seat in the Cabinet.
And from then?

I think he'll be sure by now. He is a man who knows what he wants, goes for it and gets it IMHO!