Go, Boris!

He has Turkish ancestry (if I remember correctly from WDYTYA)

Boris Johnson made a video campaigning for Turkey to join the EU - he said it would be a "great moment". Now he is trying to scare people about the number of potential Turkish migrants to Britain.

Another example of the two faces of Boris: "Most of our problems are caused not by Brussels but by chronic British short-termism, inadequate management, sloth, low skills and a culture of easy gratification and under-investment". (Boris Johnson, November 2014)

BTW whitewave, I'm very surprised you even read, never mind believe, anything the Telegraph says!

Colouring hair allegedly.

Colouring hair and numerous affairs are the least of Johnsons unsuitability for leadership.

I don't know if he is a good person - certainly I think he has charisma which is sadly lacking in many politicians today. He also seems close to his family; his sister has written about him on occasion (although she has the opposite view to him regarding the EU - am I allowed to say that?).
I found his WDYTYA programme very interesting too - more than I can say for some of them.

As for Prime Minister material - well, I think there is an intelligent, serious side behind that public persona, but personally I'm not sure whether I want to find that out.

I don't think he colours his hair - his father has always been that blond too, as are the rest of the family.

If we're discussing whether or not having affairs detracts from being a good politician, how about Jennie Lee, David Blunkett, Robin Cook, Paddy Ashdown, Ron Davies, John Prescott, Cecil Parkinson, Alan Clarke, Jeremy Corbyn etc - the list is endless. It seems to be almost a pre-requisite for the job of politician - although it is a moot point whether or not some of the above were good ones.

Never seen any sign of 'roots', so someone's doing a good job if it's true (which I doubt).

No idea ana - reported in Telegraph

He colours his hair

Does he? What colour is it naturally then?

@Alea

I'm afraid I lack your confidence in Johnson's ability to make rational choices.

I know many people with that slick public school 'humour', who are not stupid, but intelligence is a somewhat subjective quality and is not the only one needed to be a good politician, never mind PM.

Johnsons father helped set up the EU Environment laws etc. He is a passionate environmentalist and supporter of the EU as was Boris a couple of months ago.

I already answered that question if you look back. pogs.

This is answering the thread as is meanders along as it usually does.

Yes it is you I'm afraid.

It must be me .

I interpreted the OP to be asking a question about politicians from ' all party's ', a generalised question. Hence her opening words tried to give a non biased comment by off setting Boris with Corbyn in a neutral manner.

My opinion about Johnson is that
He performs very poorly in the House of Commons
His so called intelligence should not be assumed from his Latin and classical quotes. Intelligence assumes a level of problem solving and level of ability that Johnson as mayor showed no evidence.
Integrity is a quality I look for in a political leader, Johnson appears to have little of that quality.
I admire someone with ambition but I do not admire someone who ditches their principles in order to pursue this ambition.

He colours his hair. Not that there is any significance in that statement.

As a Londoner, I can say he has been a rubbish mayor. I like his Latin asides, but other than hat...

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.

Other parties have their allegiances depending on the political climate.

I like Boris but don't feel he has done the Brexit any favours.

DD

As opposed to Corbyn saying ' EVERYBODY DUCK'.

DJ. 15.43

This question

" 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?"

Don't be silly daphnedill Boris is nobody's fool, unlike certain other politicians Cameron included.

I can just see it...

'Let's press that little button there to see what happens! Oh piffle! It was only a naughty prank, folks!'

Johnson would make a truly appalling PM.

I don't really care whether he's a good person or not. His core values are suspect and I believe he's not very efficient or competent.

I like people who make me laugh and Boris does just that. If I was in the habit of giving dinner parties, which I am not if I can help it, Boris would be first on my guest list. Being Prime Minister is obviously serious business but a sense of humour is a definite advantage I would have thought and that applies to most walks of life, so if Boris makes it to No 10 we would at least get some entertaining PMQs. As for being 'a good person' we shall never really know. I expect many people thought Harold Shipman was 'a good person' but they would have been wrong.

Sorry for that reference to the referendum bags - I didn't read your OP carefully enough.

I've just read your link and yes, some politicians can be good people and likeable, even if you disagree with their viewpoint. It's the same as genuinely good people I know, who take a completely different stance from myself politically, and as still my friends. While there are those who are of the same political persuasion whom I cannot like one bit.

Does me not liking them, mean they are not 'good people'? No, because I dislike someone does not necessarily mean they are not good people. Complicated.

When it comes to issues like race though, as an example, and racist views, I have been know to cut friendships because these are abhorrent. Can a racist be a 'good person' - IMO not really.

Anniebach I do not see him as a decent man, a man who can cheat on two wives isn't a good guy

You didn't say the same about Mohammed Ali, in fact you said he was your hero

Look out Boris. As the polls are swinging towards an OUT vote the papers are speculating that the REMAIN's agenda is to 'Target Boris' - apparently that's why Eagle and Rudd were so willing to attack...they were under orders from Cameron. Shame on Angela Eagle, taking orders from a Tory. And shame on others who wouild sing from Cameron's song sheet just because he told them to ...

So pass any such dirt throwing information through a dirt and gullability filter folks.