Boris Johnson

Why say he has banned something when he hasn't? He has asked that they follow his rules about publicity in his office while at work. Don't all bosses do that?

This isn't about Boris. It isn't even about views on the EU referendum. It's about a principle. The principle would be the same whoever had brought it to public attention.

Obviously everyone has their own views but I find it hard to understand how anyone takes this man seriously - but then I find it hard to understand why people take Trump seriously and many do. I have realised (more than ever) that I do not understand the thinking - or in Trumps case the following of celebrity - of a proportion of our population. That does not make either those thinking this way or me bad people but I wonder why our views of such people are so far apart.

Why ban his staff from voicing their views at certain times , this is nonsense, if against Monday to Friday then surely the same views Saturday and Sunday. Boris got caught out for doing what he accused Cameron of doing , he floundered in his Andrew Marr interview on Sundays and now declares - it's a cock out

The BBC is supposed to be impartial. Anyone can, and probably should, complain if they think it is not being impartial. It should never be seen to 'support' government policy (whichever government is in power), only to report it. It should also report views opposing government policy.

The government and the London Lord Mayor's Office are not supposed to be impartial. They can take a side.

So, yes, trisher, I agree that the same principles should apply to all businesses and organisations that don't purport to be impartial.

He seemed to have difficulty explaining it on the news.

Fooling some of the people most of the time, or fooling most of the people some of the time?

But shouldn't one apply the same principles to all organisations and ideas. How can someone say what he did about the establishment as far as BCC is concerned and yet apply the same rules to the people who work for him? Either it is wrong to stop dissenters and ask people to comply with the accepted line or it isn't. Boris had no need to comment on the BCC situation at all but he chose to do so and in very definite terms. This is him trading in on something to promote his own views and it seems like some people are easily fooled. If he wanted to stay impartial he just had to keep quiet.

By which I mean entrenched political views, of course.

I agree, thatbags, but it's obviously very difficult for those with entrenched views to be impartial.

Boris has not banned anyone from expressing a private opinion, just requested that his staff follow the mayoral line in statements from their office.

When people work in an organisation which has a vested interest in a controversial matter, they have to be very careful what they say on the subject in public. They are considered to be voicing the official opinion of that organisation even when it is just their own view that they are airing.

That is why "as official mayoral policy is now to support the case for leaving the EU they are requested to support that position when undertaking official city hall business."^ When they are off-duty and speaking of their own views Boris " is relaxed about any of his team of advisers in a personal capacity campaigning for or supporting either side"

The head of an influential organisation is in a cleft stick - in such a position anything John Longworth says will be regarded as coming from the British Chambers of Commerce. That is he why has resigned so as to speak freely, and that is the difference between his personal opinions and those of Boris's advisors.

Is Boris the UK's Trump or just a headline seeker?

He has certainly put me off believing he was ready for higher officer.

John Longworth said this today:
"I have chosen to resign from my position at the British Chambers of Commerce so I can speak freely on the matter of our membership of the EU and try to inform the debate with some facts, which I intend to do over the coming weeks."

Boris has not said people can't speak of their support for Remain in their own time, with no connection to the Lord Mayor's office.

There is such a thing as impartiality when it comes to assessing and understanding what people say and what is said about them. It has nothing to do with whether one agrees with the individuals concerned. Seems some people don't understand the concept. Hey ho.

Quote from Boris about forced resignation of BCC chair

"The British public deserve to have the facts put before them. They deserve a proper debate.

"It cannot be right that when someone has the guts to dissent from the establishment line, he or she is immediately crushed by the agents of Project Fear."
www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-3478127/Brexit-backers-report-3-500-campaigning-biggest-day-action-far.html

So if you agree with Boris you should be allowed to speak out but if you disagree with him you should keep quiet-sounds like double standards to me.

Thatbags When the press reports some damning edict, it is always a good idea to find out who actually said what.

What was said, and by whom:

Asked about the email, Sir Edward released a statement saying: “The mayor is relaxed about any of his team of advisers in a personal capacity campaigning for or supporting either side in the EU referendum. He wants to see an open and inclusive debate and recognises that some of his advisers have differing views to those he holds.
“In my role as chief of staff I advised the team that as official mayoral policy is now to support the case for leaving the EU they are requested to support that position when undertaking official city hall business. The advice is in line with that issued by the [Greater London Authority’s] statutory officers.”

And I'd think less of a boss who didn't expect that kind of decent behaviour from me.

He didn't tell his staff what to think. He asked them not to speak against him in their work capacity. Since their work capacityis for him, it's not an unreasonable request. He probably doesn't give a damn what they think but wants them to keep certain thoughts to themselves while at work.

I would expect that from any boss.

That seems fair enough. When at home, you can speak for yourself. While at work, don't contradict the work line.

Seems his staff are allowed to give their views after office hours

No criticism of education from me Ceesnan, just a question about the integrity of someone who says he didn't tell people how to think (although others say he knew), and who constantly seems to get himself into situations where he commits major mistakes, but people seem to think it's OK because he is such a funny character

Why oh why does nearly every political thread have to end up with sneering comments about the MP's educational background? What does it bring to the thread FFS apart from highlighting a reverse snobbery?

Boris does the Boris act again

Boris's staff were told not to speak out if they are in favour of the EU. He says it was a mistake and it has been withdrawn but what really happened? An almighty cock up or an attempt to intimidate that was found out but that still might affect people's actions? Either way it doesn't reflect well on him.

Anyone who puts the wind up Cameron is good in my book.

Bah! Ana you said it before I did [chucks bread roll at computer!]