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Go, Boris!

(120 Posts)
thatbags Sun 12-Jun-16 08:05:29

Until the EU referendum reared its head I never gave Boris Johnson a second thought; he was outwith my political focus. I think now that he's a good guy. Just as Jeremy Corbyn is a good guy.

Some of you will trash this opinion of mine and reduce any following discussion to playground sniping, but if anyone's interested, here's a really good, long, interesting article about Boris by Tim Shipman from today's Sunday Times. It's called the Magazine Interview for anyone who gets the hard copy.

It would be nice if this thread didn't turn into another EU ref for and against thread. What I'm really interested in is people's views of prominent politicians as people rather than as politicians. Are people you've often disagreed with politically still good people? Can they be seen as having good motives even when you disagree with their politics?

durhamjen Mon 13-Jun-16 15:30:11

I hope the leave brigade do not think that being entertaining on HIGNFY is a prerequisite for being PM.

durhamjen Mon 13-Jun-16 15:28:00

I do not understand, Jalima. You say you defend Corbyn's right to change his mind, and then suggest he is not open and honest?

Have I got that right?

trisher Mon 13-Jun-16 15:19:18

I did like Boris when he first appeared on HIGNFY and I think he has the capacity to be very amusing and entertaining, I'm just not sure that compensates for his lack of integrity.
I did watch Corbyn on "The Last Leg" and thought he came across as pleasant, not naturally relaxed in the spotlight but he dealt with some of the jokes pleasantly. He also gave a good account of why he had changed his mind and why he wouldn't appear with Dave. He didn't have the charisma, but I think he came across as honest.

Jalima Mon 13-Jun-16 15:17:06

But not quite!
uk.businessinsider.com/jeremy-corbyn-is-making-a-big-speech-saying-we-should-remain-in-the-eu-heres-all-the-times-he-said-the-eu-was-bad-2016-4

However, I would defend anyone's right to change their mind and that includes Jeremy and Boris.
As long as they don't change back again after the referendum result hmm

Ana Mon 13-Jun-16 15:13:09

Such an open and honest man...grin

Jalima Mon 13-Jun-16 15:10:30

trisher grin

Ana I think I heard that somewhere too, all disappeared!

Ana Mon 13-Jun-16 15:09:27

Apparently Corbyn has deleted all his previous anti-EU speeches from his website.

trisher Mon 13-Jun-16 15:08:05

I've just been reading a book about the 1920s and it strikes me that Boris would have been someone mothers would have labelled as NSIT (Not safe in taxis)!

Jalima Mon 13-Jun-16 15:07:08

If this thread was about a labour politician then the Conservative side would dislike him/ her on principle.
As it is the Labour side are doing so on principle on this thread
^It doesn't matter if the Politician is Saint or Sinner
Only what side of the divide the electorate sits on.^

I do try to be even-handed grin
(If anyone read my post), although I didn't mention any unfaithful politicians from a few other parties I am sure there must be plenty

durhamjen Mon 13-Jun-16 14:57:05

Particularly when the gold is not real, trisher.

Welshwife Mon 13-Jun-16 14:37:05

From another group who wish to remain

trisher Mon 13-Jun-16 14:28:30

I don't think Boris is a "good guy' I think his personal and public life reveal a man who has always adapted his principles to suit his personal needs and so has lost any integrity he might have once had. I don't know why he behaves as he does perhaps it is his over inflated ego. But his record on suppressing information and overruling borough planning decisions in London reveals someone who thinks he knows best and who is willing to lie and pull rank when it suits him-not someone I could approve of. Of course he may be very charismatic- haven't met him so can't comment on that. But as we all know "All that glisters...."

durhamjen Mon 13-Jun-16 14:19:27

1993. Is that all you can come up with?
Boris's comment was in February, 2016. He changed his mind two months later.

Anya Mon 13-Jun-16 14:06:54

In 1993, he spoke out against the Maastricht Treaty which established the European Union and moved towards economic and political union.
The treaty, Mr Corbyn said, "takes away from national parliaments the power to set economic policy and hands it over to an unelected set of bankers who will impose the economic policies of price stability, deflation and high unemployment throughout the European Community".

Blimey! He was right and all......RESPECT!

Ana Mon 13-Jun-16 14:03:21

I'm sure someone will be able to come up with a quote from Corbyn befor he 'changed his mind'!

Anya Mon 13-Jun-16 14:03:14

Bit like another long-running thread I could (but won't) mention hmm

Anya Mon 13-Jun-16 14:02:14

Source Welshlife please - unless of course it's from Facebook wink

Welshwife Mon 13-Jun-16 14:00:13

Feb 2016

Ana Mon 13-Jun-16 13:55:55

All agreeing with each other, and addressing each other by name - it's quite amusing, really!

Anya Mon 13-Jun-16 13:41:56

Best tactic I agree practical as do others.....which is why you see whole pages of posts just written and answered by the same two/three people.

practical Mon 13-Jun-16 13:01:35

Just ignore posts you don't like, I do

POGS Sun 12-Jun-16 23:28:22

This is getting ridiculous.

practical Sun 12-Jun-16 22:29:26

I answered with 2 from both parties.
oh POGS looks like you are in trouble for giving 2 answers.

durhamjen Sun 12-Jun-16 22:10:34

POGS, 18.53.

I asked which question. You gave me two questions.

thatbags Sun 12-Jun-16 22:05:11

Re the hair, he does 'enhance' the natural colour. Says so in the article. Why does anyone care?