Gransnet forums

News & politics

Boris Johnson

(414 Posts)
obieone Wed 17-Feb-16 18:55:40

I cant decide whether I like him or not. I probably shouldnt.

I also cant decide if he is playing fair about the EU in or out decision.
Is everything to him just about himself and his career, and that is why he is fence sitting extraordinaire?

Jane10 Fri 19-Feb-16 08:36:11

He's not personally responsible for all that. He's just a figurehead for a huge organisation of faceless people. Surely you realise this but then you do blame David Cameron personally for every single thing that his govt does. Durhamjen is right in that there's no hope for some people -just not me!

blueskies Fri 19-Feb-16 09:04:29

You will see the real Johnson in the London Assembly on the Parliament channel. Scary. Would you want that individual making decisions affecting your life?

obieone Fri 19-Feb-16 09:25:40

I googled Boris Johnson 3 jobs.
Actually he has 4 according to this
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/07/27/boris-johnson-salary-shakespeare-book_n_7881970.html
I think I call that hardworking rather than greed. If a person of lower income did all that I dont think the person would be called greedy.

The other link that came up was this
uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-boris-idUKKCN0VR20L
1 in 3 voters could be swayed by him, so whether he goes for in or out matters a lot it seems.

Anniebach Fri 19-Feb-16 09:32:45

I hadn't thought of Mayor of London or Member of parliament as part time employment

obieone Fri 19-Feb-16 09:36:33

I will take a look blueskies. What is it you do not like about him on there?

durhamjen Fri 19-Feb-16 09:42:41

I've seen him before on that, blueskies. He makes my blood pressure rise even more than Cameron.
He's just so full of his own importance, he does not care about anyone but himself and his legacy.

durhamjen Fri 19-Feb-16 10:04:08

"Mayor of London Boris Johnson calls London Assembly members "great supine protoplasmic invertebrate jellies" after they voted against a two hour grilling on his budget decisions."

If he'd said that in Parliament he would have been kicked out for a month at least.
However, it would not have made any difference. Since he was re-elected to parliament he has only spoken in 15 debates in the commons.
I call that a part time job.

JessM Fri 19-Feb-16 10:04:10

I think in fairness Jane10 he's the elected mayor and therefore responsible - the buck stops with him. That is surely the whole idea of having an elected mayor. And that is before he starts taking personal credit for bikes, bridges etc.

grumppa Fri 19-Feb-16 10:22:55

Unfortunately, the more full-time the MPs' job becomes the more divorced they become from reality, which is often not provided by their constituency associations either - wacko right wingers and loony lefties.

Anniebach Fri 19-Feb-16 10:32:09

Depends on the MP's constituency , Johnson isn't going to meet many homeless or people on benefits in his sugeries is he? The poorer areas of the country do have more labour MP's, the affluent areas have Tory MP's . I do know MP's in the South Wales valleys are not divorced from the reality of poverty and unemployment

Sillynanny65 Fri 19-Feb-16 10:44:32

Boris Johnson is our local MP (I didn't vote for him). Before the local election we went to a meeting which was attended by Boris, and all the other party's.
All I can say is he did not answer one question properly he just waffled on. Yes he's sometimes quite funny. But I think he's basically a buffoon.

durhamjen Fri 19-Feb-16 10:48:20

So which of your neighbours did vote for him, Sillynanny ( I do not like typing that)?
I guess you steer off politics.

Sillynanny65 Fri 19-Feb-16 11:03:13

In answer to your question durhamjen, I am very involved with local politics.

obieone Fri 19-Feb-16 11:43:12

Him not answering questions properly ties in with JessM's link above.
And I had forgotten mostly about his affairs.
He seems to be a lot more about style than substance.
It may work him being a leader of an Out campaign, but Prime Minister? hmm.

Jane10 Fri 19-Feb-16 12:44:01

Why do I never remember not to venture into a 'bash the Tories' thread! confused

Elegran Fri 19-Feb-16 12:45:33

Aka a closed shop.

annodomini Fri 19-Feb-16 12:46:26

I treasure the memory of Eddie Mair's interview with BJ, regarding B's close friendship with Darius Guppy, a convicted fraudster. Mair called Boris (to his face) a nasty piece of work.

whitewave Fri 19-Feb-16 16:11:31

Oh yes what was that about I have forgotten?

Eloethan Fri 19-Feb-16 19:29:45

Jane10 There have been strong indications that Boris Johnson has his sights on the Conservative leadership - and it has been reported that he has quite a lot of support from within the party. Given that this is a possibility and that most voters have indicated that they do not like politicians who are untrustworthy and dishonest, I think it is perfectly reasonable to reflect on the way Boris Johnson has conducted himself as Mayor of London, and on the many pledges he has made but later reneged on.

Jane10 Fri 19-Feb-16 19:35:27

I don't know of a single trustworthy politician. In fact I don't expect them to be. I'm surprised that you lot keep on hoping. Au revoir!

grumppa Fri 19-Feb-16 20:17:15

I dealt with many MPs in the three main parties over many years on behalf of the industry which employed me. On the whole they were genuinely trying to do their best for their constituents and were understanding of my industry's views and concerns, even if they didn't agree with us. Most of them are just like us.

Members of the HoL, not having constituents to think of, were often a pain in the neck; others were a pleasure to work with.

Some ministers were clearly out of their depth, others were arrogant and self-satisfied.

But they were all human beings. One really shouldn't overgeneralise about them.

Elegran Sat 20-Feb-16 10:01:25

If their only motive for entering politics is to make as much money as possible, they are deluded - there are much quicker and surer ways of making a fortune, and most of them can be done without attracting as much public attention to the way it is acquired.

Likewise, if the main aim of a politician is to help his/her friends to make as much money as possible, they need first of all to have millions of friends who will vote them into a position where they can achieve that.

janepearce6 Sat 20-Feb-16 13:09:01

I really do think this country would be stupid to have Boris as PM - he is doing his hair at the moment but when he gets his way, he will slip to be the bumbling fool he thinks we all know and love. All he does is for Boris - I think he is probably rather an unpleasant man.

Ana Sat 20-Feb-16 13:21:30

Yes, I noticed he's had his hair cut!

I don't think enough people would vote for him to be PM, he's too much of a 'personality'.

durhamjen Sat 20-Feb-16 16:03:40

Not quite millions, Elegran.
Only just over 20,000 for most seats. Then you only need to have gone to Eton to be able to help your rich friends.