How did we get BoJo as PM on Channel 4

Just imagine if a FEMALE politician with the same sort of relationship background as Johnson - several children to different men; illicit affairs etc had ambitions to become PM. Would SHE stand a chance … I don’t think so!

I thought Marina was his second wife, and had four children by him.

Urmstongran

Thank you Iam. Actually a bit more upon reflection….

Boris was severely castigated for leaving his second wife (? Marina) and 4 older children after years of marriage to be with Carrie.

Anyone else picked up that Marina was originally The Mistress herself? Boris left his first wife and baby. Then married Marina who was six months pregnant at the time.

Sisterhood my a*rse!

Did Marina have his baby, I didn’t know that? I thought his children were 4 from his second wife, one from an affair who must be a teenager now, and three with his current wife?

I don’t think I’m stupid. ??
But maybe I am and am just unaware …. As I admire Trump too!

Boris supposedly cultivated the ‘messy look’ as he had realised (again comparing himself to Cameron - his nemesis) that he wasn’t good looking. Played instead to other strengths -humour, quick wit etc.

Why did people like him.... he's like Trump .... Are people just stupid ! .... He is a fat, schemer who cant even control his hair !!!
How did the MP's think he was a person to lead the Tory Party ... He was a Donkey leading other stupid Donkeys ....Braying at the Moon ...

Thank you Iam. Actually a bit more upon reflection….

Boris was severely castigated for leaving his second wife (? Marina) and 4 older children after years of marriage to be with Carrie.

Anyone else picked up that Marina was originally The Mistress herself? Boris left his first wife and baby. Then married Marina who was six months pregnant at the time.

Sisterhood my a*rse!

Good reflections there urmston. I’m always curious about personality and how it develops, combination of life experience and genetics imo. Johnson is always interesting and often infuriating

Primrose53, give it a rest. The point is Johnson was expected by his famiky friends and himself to get a first. He didn’t because he’s not a details man, he didn’t put the effort in. Angela Raynor had a much more difficult childhood than Johnson. Sneering at NVQ’s says a lot about you. Angela Raynor was her mother’s carer. She’s made a successful career. I admire her for that. It’s what we want for other disadvantaged people

I never thought that BJ should be Prime Minister but I think that quoting from a school master a tad unfair. If you looked at what was in my reports or my son's reports, we'd have been written off as failures. Similarly, my very bright daughter who had glowing reports is and was a totally different person from what the school observed.
What we experience as children is ingrained into our brains and it takes somebody quite emotionally astute to realise that they cannot continue to act according to that. Sadly, I don't think Boris is emotionally aware. I actually quite like his funny side but politically I agree he is a disaster. Whilst I might enjoy his company, I'd run a mile from a closer relationship with him.

Grantanow

Very seductive in more ways than one. Failed to get a First at Oxford and obviously hopeless at detail. He must never be given high office again.

High Office? Look at Angela Rayner with her one NVQ (known by many as Not Very Qualified 😉) in Care.

I’m sure you will enjoy the programme Urmston. It even made me laugh despite my lack of respect or affection for him

Yes Iam I loved the programme (not quite finished but nearly). A very intelligent, kind man I think. He’s a people pleaser that’s for sure.

I knew and was close to a family similar (well, not the domestic violence) to that which Boris grew up in. All 3 kids farmed out to private schools in Malvern, both parents super intelligent - dad had a PhD in something highly sought after and worked abroad for many years earring ridiculous amounts of money.

Their kids looked feral when home (which of course was when I saw them). Unbrushed hair, mismatched shabby clothes with wellington boots, climbing on tables (reminded of that by Boris doing similar when not liking sister Rachel getting all the attention on her 4th birthday). They had books galore (natch), were all clever - one became a barrister, one worked in Silicon Valley but do you know what? They were all unhappy in their own ways. One child later took their own life. They competed and clamoured for parental attention and I found them loveable but exhausting to be around to be honest.

We had much less in our home when I would get back on the train - money, intelligence, status. But do you know what? I used to get home and feel blessed with our life. Perhaps a bit boring by comparison - not much in the way of theatre and the arts, little in the way of wonderfully expensive family holidays - these kids took planes like ours would take buses! Our girls were very sporty, playing all over England for our county which I felt ‘rounded out’ their personalities. Exercise in adolescence mixed with hormones was, we felt, a Good Thing. Plus being together every morning and evening which those kids missed. I don’t think a good school makes up for that. Great education but at the cost of personal relationships. In my humble of course.

So - nature or nurture? An interesting question.
An insightful look into Boris’ foundations for sure. So many times he pitted himself against Cameron - Brexit being the biggie I suppose. Possibly his heart wasn’t in it as much I I thought. Give was right. When the result came out Boris partied hard (think Bullingdon Boys). Presbyterian Gove wanted to get on with The Plan. He sussed him before I did.

Tell you one thing - if Boris should come back there’s no way Cameron will be Foreign Secretary! Small mercies?

Apologies. I’ve wittered on here! I’m not very good at being succinct.
😁

No. I was merely pointing out that BoJo fell behind people like Douglas Hurd and David Cameron. Several people who achieved high office got Seconds at Oxbridge including Mrs Thatcher. Currently 19% of our MPs attended Oxbridge.

He has charm which is rare, and he has always been fullof bonhomie in public which of course made him very popular.. he also had an air of lost child about him which women responded to,, but I think his need to win was his downfall and over rode any advice from his staff and colleagues. The fact that he was undecided about whether to Leave or Remain but almost on whim decided to go with Leave sickens me. It seemed a very personal fight against Cameron. I think the programme showed (and I appreciate it may not be true) his craving for attention which has always been somewhat at odds with his rather chaotic yet solitary personality.. a very complex man who IMO is much better suited to being a journalist rather than being responsible for others wellbeing as a politician

That’d be me too Joseann 😂

maddyone

Grantanow

Very seductive in more ways than one. Failed to get a First at Oxford and obviously hopeless at detail. He must never be given high office again.

So everyone who didn’t get a first at Oxford is not intelligent?

oh well!

Grantanow

Very seductive in more ways than one. Failed to get a First at Oxford and obviously hopeless at detail. He must never be given high office again.

So everyone who didn’t get a first at Oxford is not intelligent?

I feel for anyone who had such dreadful parenting, he’s made a bit of a car crash of his own parenting skills and relationships, wonder how his children view him. It explains a lot, two children bought up the same environment react differently to the same circumstances , played out in many families. I do think he’s a one off, is patriotic, clearly lives this country, , chaotic probably but well meaning and very intelligent in lots of subjects. I think his Churchillian speech to announce lockdown could not have got the message home better, so he’s a conundrum to me, I enjoyed the programme and think maybe he will be back..

Very seductive in more ways than one. Failed to get a First at Oxford and obviously hopeless at detail. He must never be given high office again.

Iam64

The very idea of comparing the booze fests at Downing street during full lock down with Starmer having a beer with his working tea when restrictions allowed for that would be funny - except it really is not

No but it is only to be expected for some!

Cossy

Iam64

I’m no fan of Mr Johnson. I’d be fascinated by a good psychological assessment . His childhood was far from ideal. He was the oldest child, close to his mother and witnessed abuse from his father to mother.
He craves excitement, is easily bored, he’s impulsive and shines as the centre of attention. He seems like his father, unable/unwilling to be faithful to his current partner or wife
He was very entertaining on HIGNFY and totally unsuited to be PM
I’m sure you will enjoy the programme Urmston. It even made me laugh despite my lack of respect or affection for him

He was great on HIGNFY! If he’d not entered public office, I might still enjoy watching him.

I agree. It took me a long time to dislike him because of that. But, as some people from the Conservative Party said to me pre referendum, the trouble with the party at the moment is it’s just led by journalists. At the time I didn’t really understand what they meant by it but I do now.

The very idea of comparing the booze fests at Downing street during full lock down with Starmer having a beer with his working tea when restrictions allowed for that would be funny - except it really is not

Iam64

I’m no fan of Mr Johnson. I’d be fascinated by a good psychological assessment . His childhood was far from ideal. He was the oldest child, close to his mother and witnessed abuse from his father to mother.
He craves excitement, is easily bored, he’s impulsive and shines as the centre of attention. He seems like his father, unable/unwilling to be faithful to his current partner or wife
He was very entertaining on HIGNFY and totally unsuited to be PM
I’m sure you will enjoy the programme Urmston. It even made me laugh despite my lack of respect or affection for him

He was great on HIGNFY! If he’d not entered public office, I might still enjoy watching him.

Callistemon21

I don’t like what I know about Stanley Johnson, he sounds like a horrendous bully. But Johnson had siblings who didn’t turn out like he has. As for his “deafness” you make so much of, I believe he had to have grommets fitted several times during his childhood, not nice but many children go through this.

As for being packed off to Boarding School, I wouldn’t have chosen to do this with any of my children, but thousands of British children do go to boarding school, including many children of parents in the services, so do they all turn into lying narcissists?

Despite having issues with his hearing as a young child and a horrible Dad he enjoyed a very privileged upbringing.

Sparklefizz

I know … but he wasn’t the only one. Even Saint Keir was seen with a beer in his hand enjoying a gathering. My neighbour who was nursing in a Covid ward still ignored the rules and had a noisy party. When questioned about it, she said she thought that nurses were entitled to let their hair down!

I just love “whataboutery” This thread is about Johnson, start a thread about “Saint” Starmer if you like!

Sparklefizz

I know … but he wasn’t the only one. Even Saint Keir was seen with a beer in his hand enjoying a gathering. My neighbour who was nursing in a Covid ward still ignored the rules and had a noisy party. When questioned about it, she said she thought that nurses were entitled to let their hair down!

Does that make it right? And Keir, unlike Johnson, was cleared of any wrong doing.

I know … but he wasn’t the only one. Even Saint Keir was seen with a beer in his hand enjoying a gathering. My neighbour who was nursing in a Covid ward still ignored the rules and had a noisy party. When questioned about it, she said she thought that nurses were entitled to let their hair down!