Boris Johnson's Latest 'Gaff'

It’s Summer, the heatwave is almost over, Parliament is out and there’s not so much that they want to write about.
I’m fed up with being told that I am ‘outraged’ or ‘in love’ with something or somebody, as you say it’s the Media that whips it all up.
Why can’t they write about some good things that are happening, there must be some , surely?

I agree with Boris's comments, we are far to PC in this country. Most grassroot Conservatives agree with him also.

So glad I am not the only one!

I have heard that the US servicemen call them MBO’s. Moving ,black objects.

The BBC is desperate to find another story to replace the much exploited anti-semitism wrangle within the Labour Party; it is a good excuse to Boris-bash, always newsworthy, and certain sectors of the community just love to be seen expressing their outrage on someone else's behalf.

Most grassroot Conservatives agree with him also

Indeed they do Nicenanny and that's exactly the gallery he's playing to. It was no gaffe.

I think many people (not just BJ and his cohort) find the wearing of the full face covering inexplicable in a Western society. Why choose to live in a society whose norms are so different to your own? Can I say, before getting jumped on by the pc police, that I am not Islamophobic and am very happy to see Muslim people enjoying life here, same as the rest of us. But this face covering thing is a barrier for many people who are not Muslim.

I thought it rude, but he did say it shouldn’t be banned. I don’t think it was a gaffe, he is a journalist.

Boris said what many of us already think. They do look ( to me) like scary black pillar boxes .

I do hope he becomes P.M "It'll be a "LAUGH""

Grass roots tories agree with Boris? Grass roots labour do too. I don’t agree with the ‘they are living in the west so should adopt our dress, the British don’t wear sari’s in India.

Let be people be who they are

I agree, Annie

AnnieB and MaizieD I take the point, but I don't think there's a problem with any other aspect of clothing; the niqab, for instance doesn't raise comment. It's the face covering aspect that people find somehow intimidating and/or inexplicable. Not logical maybe, but there you go.

Blinko, I think you meant Hijab.
The niqab and the burka expose only the eyes.

I thought it rude and spiteful. It's absolutely fine to have a serious conversation about burka's but to make idiotic personal comments about ladies who adopt this form of dress is unnecessary, inflammatory and downright nasty as is all types of name calling. Boris knew perfectly well that what he said would cause a furore, embarrass the government, and stir up a proverbial hornets nest. How could be so hateful both to these ladies and to the party he professes to support?! This is for me a step too far, and if he was ever by some quirk became leader of the Conservative party, (God forbid!) I for one would never ever vote for him.

Sorry. Espee you're right of course.

In my job I have the opportunity to approach members of the public and am happy to try to engage with everyone. It is quite a revelation to chat with ladies wearing the niqab or burka to find most have a strong local accent.
My understanding is that covering the face is a cultural rather than religious convention. i.e. it is not a requirement of the Muslim religion.

I totally agree with Lyndiloo. It's ridiculous.

He has a right to give his views on the covering of the face, how he described the women was so wrong, rude, insulting.

I applaude May for saying he should apologise, Labour supporters need to remember all Corbyn said was ‘not in my name ‘ and refused to be questioned .

Not May praising or Corbyn bashing, just being fair

I’ve never voted Conservative and probably never will. It’s not a lot to do with politics. I think Boris has a good point, but his choice of words was clumsy.

There seem to be 2 threads where this is being discussed. Does Boris deserve two threads? I don't think so. But Im sure he would love it- As Wilde said There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.

I remember the daft sight of a group of Muslim ladies sitting outside a McDonald's trying to stuff Big Macs and fries up under their face veils. Major culture clash!?

Humans like animals read & interpret each other’s facial expressions & body language. If we don’t have enough visual clues,it makes interpretation more difficult & makes us unconsciously wary. Also black is seen as oppressive. A belly dancer wearing head ware and pretty mouth veil is not seen as oppressive whereas The Black hijab to the western world seems to be oppressive. I guess we just have to adjust our interpretations. The same can be said about the opposite end of the spectrum where we see very scantily dressed humans, it can make us feel uncomfortable, but on the up side at least we can see they aren’t hiding anything, even if we are wishing they would?

I thought it rude and spiteful.

Blimey, nellie, I'm agreeing with you, too