Boris and Trump

'Naughty schoolboys' is a far too indulgent term to use. Naughty schoolboys don't have much effect on anyone but their friends, family and teachers.

Boris and Trump are evil and corrupt grown men who should be removed from any position of responsibility and influence.

I read it that all be it that he made it in true BJ fashion, He was actually supporting the right of women to wear Islamic dress and was actually criticising Denmark.

Boris Johnson was being his usual shifty self - saying it was wrong of Denmark to ban the face veil but making headlines with 'bank robber' and 'letterbox'.

I'm sick to the back teeth of the BBC and its reports of Labour's anti-Semitism - let's see if they make as much fuss of the Tories anti-Islam.

I must say I was surprised to hear Boris' comment.

In this intensely politically correct age we are now living in, where politicians a terrified of saying anything remotely controversial, a comment like that is rather a shock.

I don't think even Donald Trump would dare to go that far!

"I'm sick to the back teeth of the BBC and its reports of Labour's anti-Semitism - let's see if they make as much fuss of the Tories anti-Islam."
Me too Riverwalk.

I was out walking one day in our quiet suburban area, turned a corner and came face to face with a person in a full length burka with one of those little mesh eye slits. I had a real fright. I'm not being gratuitously offensive but my instinctive reaction was that it was a dalek! It felt intimidating. It made me feel that there was something somehow unworthy of me that I couldn't be shown this person's face. I'm being honest here. This was quite a shock reaction.
I've travelled widely in Muslim countries where this covering up doesn't happen. A Muslim friend was very scathing about this as a 'throwback to when people were in the desert in the middle ages'. Not my words. I was very interested in her reaction.
I suppose I'll be shouted at and called racist but I think quite a few people are wary of not being allowed to see people's faces.

"I'm sick to the back teeth of the BBC and its reports of Labour's anti-Semitism - let's see if they make as much fuss of the Tories anti-Islam."
Oh yes they are, trying desperately to divert attention from Corbyn.

I don't like face veils - in the main they're worn in this country by women who should know better! Likely that they have mothers and grandmothers who didn't even wear a headscarf. But if that's their choice.

I loathe seeing primary-aged girls in hijabs, and this I would like to ban.

Johnson was being his usual duplicitous self - with half an eye on the Tory leadership.

He knew full well which of his words would make the headlines.

He'll never get the leadership of the Tories. They know fine well what a liability he is.

Boris is a professional journalist and nothing was written by accident. Yes, he was arguing against the Danish edicts but then threw in the personal comment sbout "letter boxes". I think this was all to bring him back to the fore again, to get him discussed in the news.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Nasty comment eazybee.

Jane10 I don't think it's racist or anti-Islamic. A few years ago I was in Tunisia where our Tunisian guide was very insistant that the veil and the burka had no place in Tunisian culture or in Islam. So much as it would please me to say Boris was anti-Islamic I find I can't. I do still think he is a prat though.

I think he's a prat too trisher!

Boris is not necessarily anti Muslim. He is however very pro Boris and that's what this 'look at me' journalism is all about.

I feel the same way Jane10. Whilst I appreciate that every woman has the right to dress however she so wishes, it makes me deeply uncomfortable when I'm unable to see the facial expressions of the person I'm speaking to. I find the burka, particularly when its totally black, to be quite intimidating and scary, especially when you can't even see eyes because of the mesh screen.

Just the usual racist rubbish from Boris Johnston, the most recent in his long list of insults.

The dress police are back on the case again - either women are wearing too little or they're wearing too much. Perhaps someone should write a list of rules as to exactly what is and isn't acceptable attire for women.

Every woman, and man for that matter, has the right to dress in whatever way they choose, with no exceptions. How someone feels, when they look at that person; whether it's because they're dressed in a mini skirt and tight boob tube, a burka or a mankini, is also their right. I don't think that anyone, including BJ, has said that burkas shouldn't be worn have they?

Boris is a wally, but he's not the first senior politician to express such views and - as someone who remembers the sometimes-daft dress codes for women still imposed in the 1970s - I do wonder if it is a good idea for young children to learn that their mothers and grannies (but never the dads and granddads) need to hide their faces from all public gaze or to be draped in garments which would be completely impractical for certain tasks, sports or activities the children might enjoy. We are assured that all women wearing full coverings do so voluntarily, but it is quite hard to believe and it does come across as a way of isolating females from social inclusion. The power of facial expression as a way of communication can't be underestimated. A young friend wat recently asked to remove a nose piercing for her first job because it was held to be quite intimidating for older members of the public with whom she'd have to deal. I do feel strangely uncomfortable if I have to deal with someone in a closed motor bike helmet or someone in large wraparound dark glasses and a hoodie. The issue certainly needs debate, but I doubt if Boris is the man from whom we should take our lead.

I agree with GillT57 about his speech being pro Boris, but like Jane10 I do find the ‘letter box’ outfits intimidating and find myself looking at the feet to see if it’s likely to be a man under there.
If I visit an Islamic country I have to follow their dress code.
If I wear a motorcycle helmet whilst riding, I have to remove it before going into shops, libraries etc.

I feel offended when I m confronted by someone who doesn't want me to see their face, be it a hijab, visored helmet or ski mask. It makes me uncomfortable and I always wonder what they have to hide. In the current climate of suspicion and unease concerning terrorism and also other forms of criminal behaviour I think all types of face covering in public should be banned. This is not a racial statement, more like one of self preservation. In the secondary school where I work, no-one is allowed on school grounds with their faces covered. This has led to criticism as we have a large Muslim population but i think it helps to keep the pupils safe.

Words fail me to describe BJ. I truly believe in everyone being able to be who they want to be, follow their own faiths, live and let live etc But in this day and age should it be socially acceptable ? Are these women brain washed from birth to have to accept that they must go out dressed this way ? And why don’t the men have to cover up ? Inequality and oppression, they are my issues.

This is also being discussed on another thread @Boris's Gaffe. I don't theink GN HQ is able to merge them.

I have heard that Boris is looking for a new constituency for the next election as he doesn't think that Uxbridge will vote for him again after he disappeared for the Heathrow vote. That was mainly why they voted for him in the first place. Let us hope that he doesn't find one.
I agree with Riverwalk and Fennel. Talk about flogging a subject to death (and beyond).