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Lesson in diplomacy for Brexit Boris

(64 Posts)
Ginny42 Fri 22-Jul-16 11:43:17

In case you missed it...

During a press conference with Brexit Boris and John Kerry a journalist asked Johnson about his offensive remarks about people like Hilary Clinton, Erdogan etc. He mumbled a response something along the lines of it being acceptable for journalists to make things up.

Asked how he could work with someone like Boris Johnson, Kerry said he'd been in a meeting with an old friend of Johnson's from Oxford University who called him a 'smart and capable man' and that was the man he intended to do dealings with.

When Johnson thanked him for the compliment Kerry replied, 'It's called diplomacy.'

Hilarious.

Royandsyl Sat 23-Jul-16 14:49:14

I would like to reply to JessM. You do not need to be privately educated to learn Latin. I passed my scholarship to go to grammar school where Latin was taught to all of us. Boris Johnson has a really good brain and speaks many languages. Leave him alone and let him get on with his job and life. Too man people on this rant use only surnames of people. Very rude.

Firecracker123 Sat 23-Jul-16 15:24:51

My son went to grammar school and studied Latin. I think Boris is charming and witty, in the real world a lot of people like him.

Anya Sat 23-Jul-16 16:15:27

That's obviously your totally unbiased opinion then suzied grin

Jess are you seriously trying to convince us that Boris created the housing crisis in London? hmm

whitewave Sat 23-Jul-16 17:17:44

firecracker what is the real world?

suzied Sat 23-Jul-16 17:47:12

He may be charming , witty and likeable if you are sitting next to him at a dinner party. Doesn't make him a good or trustworthy politician. Depends whether you don't mind having an untrustworthy foreign secretary in your real world.

Ramblingrose22 Sat 23-Jul-16 18:10:15

I too find the appointment of BJ as Foreign Sec very strange as he doesn't have much "gravitas" in my opinion (sorry if that's Latin too).
Some one mentioned that Theresa May has removed most of what his job used to cover by hiving off dealing with the EU and trade/business with other foreign countries to other departments, so maybe it is now a much reduced role that BJ can be trusted with.
I don't under-estimate him though. I know that bumbling manner is just an act and that he is extremely clever. He'll master any brief put before him and he'll have to learn diplomacy if he's to succeed. Perhaps that is what Theresa May intended.

I take comfort from the appointment because Gove and Lady MacVine must be tearing their hair out. Wasn't Gove Minister of Justice?!!

durhamjen Sat 23-Jul-16 18:21:30

www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/22/boris-johnson-distances-brexit-donald-trump-isolationism

He seems to have no idea of government policy. He's saying that EU leaders want us to leave quickly, but doesn't even mention May in his speech.
Can't wait for him to say cripes, he's in a mess.

durhamjen Sat 23-Jul-16 18:24:47

www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/23/chevening-house-share-rules-liam-fox-boris-johnson-david-davis

Do you think it will work?

Jalima Sat 23-Jul-16 18:30:20

Too man people on this rant use only surnames of people. Very rude
RoyandSyl hmm I don't think it's rude really; I think at school boys used to be called just by their surnames so it would be something Boris Johnson would find normal. It is probably ruder to call him by his first name unless we actually know him.

cripes grin

BlueBelle Sat 23-Jul-16 19:00:18

Did I just read somone said the BJ man is charming and witty blimey you ll tell me next Mr Trump Is a real gentleman
intelligence doesn't always equate with common sense learning doesn't always equate with knowledge

durhamjen Sat 23-Jul-16 19:09:40

His first name is Alexander. That would be confusing.
There are other MPs called Johnson, but only one Boris, thank goodness.

Firecracker123 Sun 24-Jul-16 07:46:48

Yes in real life Boris Johnson is popular he was the leading figurehead for Brexit.

As always a few on here hate anyone who supported Brexit.

whitewave Sun 24-Jul-16 07:55:29

I usually use surnames when talking about people like politicians or indeed others with whom I'm not acquainted, provided it is clear about who is being discussed.
However if I know them personally I use either both names or Mr or Mrs etc.