“Johnson is … the most accomplished liar in public life – perhaps the best liar ever to serve as prime minister,” he said. “He has mastered the use of error, omission, exaggeration, diminution, equ

MaizieD No

I have been a true blue Tory all of my life and tend to go by gut instinct and certainly not as well read or intellectual as many on here. Is Johnson Billy bullshit most probably does he stretch the truth again most probably
Sometimes when he makes a decision I think whatever are you doing but accept that I don’t know the full picture
But at this moment in time is he the best person to get the country moving again the answer is most definitely yes. He has an energy and a charisma which may not be orthodox but will get things done
Not popular on here but hey ho

lemongrove You can admire someones writing, especially if they are having a go at someone you dislike, but that doesn't make the writer 'popular'.

I know little or nothing about Rory Stewart. he isn't popular with me but I think his writing in this review is superb.

I'm not sure that it could really be classed as a'character assassination. I've found lots of definitions of the term and they mostly include an 'attempt to ruin the reputation of a public figure'. The implication being that the 'public figure' has a good reputation.

Johnson has never had a good reputation. Thus, nothing to ruin. No assassination involved.

The real point is, rosie1959, do you support what Stewart is saying?

It is weird the support he gets as he is so tacky.

rosie1959

growstuff

rosie1959

Growstuff I read it as purely a character assassination what is his motive for writing an article pointing out his views of Boris Johnson What does he hope to achieve

I haven't a clue what his motivation is. I'm not a mind reader. I'm more interested in what the article says and, as far as I'm concerned, it's accurate because Johnson is an accomplished liar.

Glad you enjoyed it

I can't say that I have ever enjoyed reading any article about the country's PM being an accomplished liar. I actually find it very depressing, especially when people seem to be in denial.

rosie1959

Growstuff I read it as purely a character assassination what is his motive for writing an article pointing out his views of Boris Johnson What does he hope to achieve

Its a book review and he is saying that he doesn't agree with the author's generous portrayal of Johnson. To put it mildly. It says that in the link M0nica posted.

growstuff

rosie1959

Growstuff I read it as purely a character assassination what is his motive for writing an article pointing out his views of Boris Johnson What does he hope to achieve

I haven't a clue what his motivation is. I'm not a mind reader. I'm more interested in what the article says and, as far as I'm concerned, it's accurate because Johnson is an accomplished liar.

Glad you enjoyed it

growstuff

Incidentally, Dawn Butler lacks Rory Stewart's eloquence, but was she wrong too?

One of those times when a lack of eloquence actually drove home the point far better than eloquence would have done. A stand out moment in British politics imo.

I don't think Stewart ever stood a chance as a leader in today's political world. He always came across as more appropriate to an era when morals and intelligence mattered.

Incidentally, Dawn Butler lacks Rory Stewart's eloquence, but was she wrong too?

The truth? Perhaps he, unlike Johnson, actually loves his country and not just himself. Ok, you could argue that he has now moved abroad but in programmes about this country that he has made his love for the place and it’s history shines through.

rosie1959

Growstuff I read it as purely a character assassination what is his motive for writing an article pointing out his views of Boris Johnson What does he hope to achieve

I haven't a clue what his motivation is. I'm not a mind reader. I'm more interested in what the article says and, as far as I'm concerned, it's accurate because Johnson is an accomplished liar.

Growstuff I read it as purely a character assassination what is his motive for writing an article pointing out his views of Boris Johnson What does he hope to achieve

rosie1959

growstuff no I am not agreeing

OK! So which claims do you disagree with?

growstuff no I am not agreeing

rosie1959

Growstuff well its a blistering attack on Johnson but to what ends
Apart from that he doesn't really say much

So you agree with the substance of the article? Are you agreeing that Johnson is an accomplished liar?

I didn't mean to be offensive, I'm very sorry if it came across that way. I was trying to say that he must have had a hard start in life, but that his adoptive family clearly gave him a good chance in life and gave him all the good things they could.

I don't think much of Michael Gove but nobody can deny he has got very far in his career and in life in general, no doubt due to his own efforts.

I am very sorry that anything I said offended anyone.

I normally stay out of political threads but could Alegrias1 please enlighten on her comment about him being 'an adopted baby' have to do with anything.
Other than being offensive to adopted children, do you expect them not to do well ?

MayBee70

More and more people are seeing Johnson for what he really is. It’s as if the fog is lifting….

And some continue to say they aren’t particularly fans of Boris but yet won’t hear of any criticism of him.

More and more people are seeing Johnson for what he really is. It’s as if the fog is lifting….

Growstuff well its a blistering attack on Johnson but to what ends
Apart from that he doesn't really say much

rosie1959

lemongrove

So...to recap, he is highly popular on this thread because he dislikes Johnson. Any Tory who disliked Johnson or disliked leaving the EU is often popular on GN ( or rather with non Conservative voters.)
Even ‘Demonic’ Cummings is popular now.It figures I suppose.?

Stewart can't be that popular or he would now be PM

So what's your opinion of the content of the article?

lemongrove

So...to recap, he is highly popular on this thread because he dislikes Johnson. Any Tory who disliked Johnson or disliked leaving the EU is often popular on GN ( or rather with non Conservative voters.)
Even ‘Demonic’ Cummings is popular now.It figures I suppose.?

Stewart can't be that popular or he would now be PM

PippaZ

Stewart is not dead. He hasn't "failed" in anything.

Stewart called Johnson out as "... most accomplished liar in public life". Why would anyone who believes that to be true not be glad that someone is bringing it to the attention of others?

The subhead of the article in the TLS is "Boris Johnson: an amoral figure for a bleak, coarse culture". We so often see that culture played out on these boards. We need more conservatives speaking out against Johnson and the rest of the sado-populist New Tories. Johnson, Sunak, Raab, Patel and the rest are without an ounce of empathy or the most basic understanding of what life is like for those without the guilding they are used to. It is not what I want to see in my country. So yes, I support what he is saying.

However, I have heard him talk on many subjects (including Hedgehogs ). He 'thinks'. Johnson finds that almost impossible. Yes, he can repeat what he has learned in the past, But he buys in his tacticians - or marries them. His only aim is to see himself "win". There is little beyond that. He will hurt whatever group he needs to keep his voters - some of them with pretty vile beliefs - onboard.

?