“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

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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 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

MaizieD No

But none of that is the subject of the article. I agree with MOnica that it's a very good piece of writing, but to honest, Goebbel's speeches were superb rhetoric and are studied alongside Martin Luther King's speeches.

Is it a good piece of writing? Yes. Is Stewart correct? Yes - and I haven't seen any convincing argument against the claim.

Rosie's responses are classic examples which explain why Johnson is still PM. However, my gut feeling is that people generally really aren't so gullible and the smokescreen is clearing. I don't think Johnson does have energy or charisma beyond a superficial show. He certainly lacks the ability to see things through or to consider minor inconveniences (such as Northern Ireland - ahem!)

Rory Stewart has an Eton/Oxford background. I'm sure that if he had really set his mind on power that he would have the connections and could have played the system to get what he wanted. My impression of him is that his values are "old-fashioned" - he's a conviction politician - a bit like David Gauke, Dominic Grieve or Ken Clarke. I don't agree with all their political views, but I do think they thought they were doing the best for their country, which I don't believe of Johnson or most in the current government.

What I don't understand is why the Tories are still ahead of Labour in polls. I believe in some they have a 4% lead. This article is from the 23rd July.

www.politico.eu/europe-poll-of-polls/united-kingdom/

This can't be down to the vaccine bounce any more. Don't believe it's due to so called Freedom day either.

I don't understand it myself. Often mid-term polling puts opposition in the lead.

With all that's happening at present you'd have thought they would have been trailing.

But that's veering from the discussion in hand. As I've said earlier I rather like Rory and agree with what he so eloquently says.

rosie1959

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

Will that be before or after he sorts out the NIreland problem that he created? The one that a lot of people knew about but he didn’t?

It's interesting looking at the figures for the ballot of the Tory Party leadership. McVey, Leadsom and Harper were eliminated after the first ballot. Hancock withdrew before the second and Raab was eliminated. I watched the Q & A I suppose it was before the third ballot. Stewart was the most impressive I think and Hunt wasn't too bad. Gove was smarmy and Johnson was his usual waffly self. At the fifth ballot Johnson was voted for by 92,000+ and Hunt 46,000+ of the Tory membership.

The reason Johnson won was his desire for a hard Brexit. I think that is the reason why Stewart was knocked out after round 3, despite him being personable, articulate and hard working. He was a diplomat and is an academic an author whereas Johnson, despite his jobs in journalism and as Lord Mayor comes over as a dilettante.

I blame the producers of HIGNFY for hiring him. Without that he would not have come to the public's attention.

This might interest some of you:

www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/21/boris-johnson-route-to-number-10

M0nica

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.

Yes, you can admire anyone’s writing, that goes without saying, without admiring the person who wrote it.
I couldn't access the actual video, just the short piece written under it.

It staggers me how many people know just what Johnson is and yet they still support him. He is getting to the point where more and more people ridicule him. He really won't last long once his backers see he has lost the promise of winning elections by fair means or foul.

Johnson is second only to Trump in the Lying Olympics.

Give him a silver medal.

Johnson is compared to similar populist leaders who frequently lie and rely on
their simple messages to appeal to the mass of voters who don’t read political analyses, but rely on slogans and soundbites. He is in the same league as Trump, Orban, Bolsonaro, Erdogan- all relied on their popularity with a certain anti intellectual, conservative, nationalist demographic. Pointing out his lies and character flaws to those who “like” his dishevelled clownish persona will have little effect. It’s the emperor’s new clothes phenomena, they will continue to believe he is “ doing his best”, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

vegansrock

Johnson is compared to similar populist leaders who frequently lie and rely on
their simple messages to appeal to the mass of voters who don’t read political analyses, but rely on slogans and soundbites. He is in the same league as Trump, Orban, Bolsonaro, Erdogan- all relied on their popularity with a certain anti intellectual, conservative, nationalist demographic. Pointing out his lies and character flaws to those who “like” his dishevelled clownish persona will have little effect. It’s the emperor’s new clothes phenomena, they will continue to believe he is “ doing his best”, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Odd phenomena though.

I read this article last year when it was first published and thought it was a well written analysis. And to think how many more lies - let the bodies pile up - he has got away with since yet his popularity with the electorate is still high.
I don't see how the tories will get away with lynching and replacing him in their usual style. And who with.