Are there no limits to the greed of Boris Johnson?

I have my opinions about Tory MPs, not all unfavourable as I don't have a problem with someone who believes in and stands up for their beliefs, even if they are not the same as mine (apart from most of the current cabinet). My late Father, a lifelong Tory, had great admiration for Tony Benn because he stood up for his principles, even to the detriment of his political career. Johnson however, is completely different case, it is not even politics with him, it is self, and sadly, many people fell for his so called charm, people even fooled themselves that 'good old Boris' cared about them.

I have a very low opinion of Boris and the Tory party in general .

I'd like to lobby my MP over various issues , which need addressing - but cosy in a safe seat he's more interested in having affairs and boozing .
He has a stinking reputation .
Recently , I've met several people who walk in the same circles and every doubt that I had about him has been confirmed .

I think that many of us know the difference between political expediency and narcissistic self seeking corruption, MOnica.

People who cannot understand why anyone could vote for Boris is assuming the rest of the population are as upright clean-living and virtuous as they are.

Boris is the typical 'lovable rascal', 'cheeky rascal'. Think of all the other phrases people use that betrays a secret admiration and, possibly, even envy of the likes of him that gets away with things.

I can completely understand why people vote for Boris, and indeed the Conservative party. People vote from self-interest, the majority do not read manifestoes, think deeply or any of the other things I know posters on this site do. If they do not like the current lot, they vote for the others and switch back when circumstances change.

Why doesn't the Labour party promise enormous changes in life accompanied by the large tax rises needed to pay for them? Because they know if they did, their vote would vanish like snow in summer.

I sometimes wish we had more unrepentant rogues and liars on GN and I sometimes wonder whether all those bien-pensant members of GN actually stick to the virtues they proclain in real life.

What amazes me is that people even want to listen to him. His past is neither remarkable nor honourable.

What do you expect from a Tory?

He is a greedy, faithless and entitled individual with an enormous ego. Nothing will stop his snout dipping in to the trough.

it never seems to cross their minds that others judge them, find them grasping and greedy. Do they genuinely not think of it, or do they just regard it as their due?

Both, I should think.

MaizieD

^but I'm super aware of who I owe a coffee/meal to (for example) when it's my turn to pay.^

Aah, yes. That's another of his little foibles. I have saved, somewhere, a piece by a journalist who worked with him when he was an EU correspondent in Brussels. She said he was always happy to be bought drinks in the pub, but never bought a round himself...

I think it's because he's so self-centred, it simply doesn't occur to him.
He'd have made a good companion to Ayn Rand - she admired people who had no sense of, nor feelings for, the 'other'. Though even she had her charitable moments apparently.

but I'm super aware of who I owe a coffee/meal to (for example) when it's my turn to pay.

Aah, yes. That's another of his little foibles. I have saved, somewhere, a piece by a journalist who worked with him when he was an EU correspondent in Brussels. She said he was always happy to be bought drinks in the pub, but never bought a round himself...

Oh - he’s got a lot of children to support, more than you’d ever realise, poor darling.

Nope - just another d***head! There seems to be a lot of them around just now.

Oldbat1

It is his “entitlement” that really disgusts me. He doesn’t even bat an eyelid accepting freebies from any direction. Horrible corrupt devious man.

The bit that gets me is the lack of shame or embarrassment. I know it's a class thing, and that the working class are reluctant to take help, for fear of it being seen as 'charity', but I'm super aware of who I owe a coffee/meal to (for example) when it's my turn to pay.

For Boris (and others of his ilk) it never seems to cross their minds that others judge them, find them grasping and greedy. Do they genuinely not think of it, or do they just regard it as their due?

It is his “entitlement” that really disgusts me. He doesn’t even bat an eyelid accepting freebies from any direction. Horrible corrupt devious man.

25Avalon

Dh considered he was very clever.

So many did and even do!!! All those Latin/Greek phrases dropping casually from his mouth evoked an aura of superior intelligence. He had the best education available to those with money and with it comes extreme self assurance. Add to this a light hearted humour, tousled hair and an unkempt ( I’m too cerebral to care or notice) appearance and you have a package which fooled so many of the masses.

25Avalon

Blair isn’t doing too badly either. Ex PM’s nearly always get paid as after dinner speakers etc. Nothing new.

Dh was once at a dinner where Boris Johnston was the main speaker and was surprised at how well Boris put himself across and actually gave an interesting non buffoonish talk, unlike his usual public persona.

Funnily enough J Vine occasionally mentions 2 dinners, about 2 years apart with Johnson as the guest speaker. He recounts how Johnson ruffled his hair as he walked on and how he "forgot"his words at the same point at each event.

Oh he is very clever. And manipulative. And a compulsive liar.

Dh considered he was very clever.

25Avalon

Blair isn’t doing too badly either. Ex PM’s nearly always get paid as after dinner speakers etc. Nothing new.

Dh was once at a dinner where Boris Johnston was the main speaker and was surprised at how well Boris put himself across and actually gave an interesting non buffoonish talk, unlike his usual public persona.

Johnson's buffoonery is all part of his fake, good old boy image which he uses to fool a lot of people. He is a smart conniving liar who has worked out what people will fall for. For this skill I acknowledge his mastery, my opinion of the fools who fall for it however is likely to get me thrown off GN

25Avalon

Blair isn’t doing too badly either. Ex PM’s nearly always get paid as after dinner speakers etc. Nothing new.

Dh was once at a dinner where Boris Johnston was the main speaker and was surprised at how well Boris put himself across and actually gave an interesting non buffoonish talk, unlike his usual public persona.

The big difference being that Blair isn’t still being paid as an MP, and Johnson is not fulfilling his MP role because he’s doing this work when he should be in the commons though? So actually there isn’t a parallel.

Blair isn’t doing too badly either. Ex PM’s nearly always get paid as after dinner speakers etc. Nothing new.

Dh was once at a dinner where Boris Johnston was the main speaker and was surprised at how well Boris put himself across and actually gave an interesting non buffoonish talk, unlike his usual public persona.

"they're all the same" is the last retort when we point out the blatant corruption of the Tory Party.

I have heard it from readers of the Torygraph and the Daily Mail.

No - they are not all the same. There may have been, over the years, odd instances of disgraceful behaviour by politicians in other parties but the Tory Party is built upon corruption. It starts with the dodgy billionaire Tory Party donors,

Then we have the institutionalised lying and blatant "I can get away with it attitude epitomised by Dominic Cummings, with the support of the right wing press they can fool a lot of the people a lot of the time.

Now at last some who were fooled into believing their poisonous propaganda are beginning to see through it.

The "they are all the same" argument enrages me, chiefly because many use it to justify voting for a government which is corrupt. Boris Johnson has done huge damage to this country, not just his fake "good old Boris" character which, sadly, many voters fell for, but because he made lying to the HoC, the electorate, normal standard behaviour. How many times have we read "oh, they all lie"? For this degradation of public service alone, I cannot excuse him. To then expect the people he has committed the offence against, the tax paying electorate, pay to defend him is just beyond belief.

Maisie you’re right some, no most, go into politics to help the community, then they get involved in party politics and you follow the party line or you’re out.
The only qualification needed to become an MPs is to convince voters that the party is right, if you get to the top of the tree you get to make policy. For some it’s power, some money, some both.

My own MP is a good example, parachuted in to a safe seat holds posts in cabinet he’s not interested in the local area only power and money, changes sides on any issue according to which will prevail, yeah I’m cynical because he’s not even in the ERG.

Allsorts

Love uk but getting more rattled by how daft weve become. Much too. soft on things. Public being taken advantage of on so many levels. If some if these politicians got out amongst the people the could find out just what our grievances are.

They will get comments from their constituents. Probably selected by their constituency office staff. But they don't care about the public, just themselves. I don't think that applies to all MPs but certainly to those currently and previously on the front bench.