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Johnson's lies (again) Why do people still believe him?

(176 Posts)
Dinahmo Wed 07-Jul-21 15:28:27

I referred on the PMQT discussion to an interview on GMB this morning with a lawyer, Peter Stephanovic who has produced a video debunking several of Johnson's "facts".

I've started a new thread because the one about PMQT is quite specific.

Stephanovic was interviewed on GMB this morning by Susannah Reid and Alistair Campbell and the PM was defended by his biographer Andrew Gimson.

Here's a link to the GMB interview www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScFh94J7SV4

Watching Alistair Campbell I was reminded of the accusations against him and Blair about the lies told to the country over the Iraq war. Thousands of people, with reason, dislike Blair, some of them intensely, because of the lies.

Johnson has lied through his teeth on many occasions but still people believe him. Why is this?

Riverwalk Wed 07-Jul-21 15:45:18

Oh, but his fans don't believe him - they're just prepared to overlook the lies.

Tizliz Wed 07-Jul-21 15:47:56

Perhaps we just don’t like to admit we were wrong ?

NotSpaghetti Wed 07-Jul-21 16:16:22

The trouble is, and I did watch your link, those who are “pro” Johnson - such as Grimson, do repeatedly use Brexit (as in this case) as a reason you are cross about the lies!

Then they say “he didn’t mean to say that” (e.g. the border), or imply those of us who want the truth are simply “banging on” about details.

I have never liked Blair, I found him rather greasy and insincere. The fact that he has got away with lies too does not make this Johnson PM lies and half-truths any more palatable.

MaizieD Wed 07-Jul-21 16:56:02

I have never liked Blair, I found him rather greasy and insincere. The fact that he has got away with lies too does not make this Johnson PM lies and half-truths any more palatable.

But isn't Dinahmo's point the fact that Blair is constantly derided for his lies in one area, whereas Johnson lies about absolutely everything yet gets away with it.

I don't understand how people can be happy for the country to be led by a habitual liar. If you were working for someone who couldn't lie straight in bed wouldn't you be looking for another job PDQ?

Casdon Wed 07-Jul-21 17:03:08

The thing is though, history judged Blair harshly, once more facts were out in the open. The same will happen to Johnson, but it looks like it will be more quickly because some of he facts are already beginning to emerge after only two years.

NotSpaghetti Wed 07-Jul-21 20:38:39

You’re right of course MaizieD. I suppose the BIG Blair lie wasn’t 100% provable till later though.

Johnson lies all the time and they are provable immediately.
It makes no sense.
I suppose he has taken people in with his “wit and charm”. ?

MaizieD Wed 07-Jul-21 23:35:26

I suppose he has taken people in with his “wit and charm”.

What wit and charm would that be? He can't string two words together in a comprehensible sentence and what does come put of his mouth is a never ending torrent of lies.

And doesn't he look ill? Or is he drunk, or high?

(At least Blair did some good things in government)

NotSpaghetti Thu 08-Jul-21 00:03:01

That's what people say of course Maizie
grin
Wit and charm
grin

MayBee70 Thu 08-Jul-21 00:08:51

I’ve thought for a long time that there should be a fact checker during parliamentary debates etc. Once something has been said it sticks in people’s minds whether it’s a lie or the truth unfortunately.

Franbern Thu 08-Jul-21 08:29:06

The only time Johnson lies is whenever he speaks!!!
Over and over again - but his devoted fans just will not see it - none so blind, etc. etc.

Franbern Thu 08-Jul-21 08:35:12

In July 2016, Johnson stated 'I cannot stress too much that Britain is part of Europe and always will be'.
In same month he also stated that no matter what happened UK citizens would stil be able to move freely throughout Europe, work there and purchase homes there without any restrictions.

Lucca Thu 08-Jul-21 08:41:35

Johnson can do what he likes because “ he got Brexit done”
In spite of having been anti Brexit originally. And apparently he got the Covid vaccinations rolled out all by himself.

And he is a Conservative so in many peoples eyes, that’s enough.

Oh and he’s not Corbyn, I forgot that one.

Boz Thu 08-Jul-21 08:41:38

Johnson's strength, despite an unsuitability for the job, is that he is not Corbyn and he took a decisive stand on Brexit, as far as the voters were concerned. Any opposition to J will have to come from opposition parties. Voters need to be convinced that there is something better. The Conservative party will run with him as long as he pulls in votes. I know this is a simplified view but as most people don't give a toss, believable.

Shropshirelass Thu 08-Jul-21 08:49:43

All politicians lie, you can’t believe any of them all the time. I think that Boris has done a good job in the circumstances, he had a huge task on his hands, never been through it before and he has delivered. Glad he was in charge and not Kier Starmer, can’t stand him.

Lucca Thu 08-Jul-21 09:03:03

Shropshirelass

All politicians lie, you can’t believe any of them all the time. I think that Boris has done a good job in the circumstances, he had a huge task on his hands, never been through it before and he has delivered. Glad he was in charge and not Kier Starmer, can’t stand him.

Ok.and what do you think about the lies ?

What was it that Boris did so well ? (Excluding the vaccine roll out which was NHS led)

growstuff Thu 08-Jul-21 09:04:01

Errmmm ... do you have evidence that all politicians lie? Even if they do, is it excusable? I think it's sad if people have such low expectations.

So just because you can't "stand" Keir Starmer, why do you think he would have done any worse? Any objective reasons?

growstuff Thu 08-Jul-21 09:04:59

Lucca

Johnson can do what he likes because “ he got Brexit done”
In spite of having been anti Brexit originally. And apparently he got the Covid vaccinations rolled out all by himself.

And he is a Conservative so in many peoples eyes, that’s enough.

Oh and he’s not Corbyn, I forgot that one.

He's just a bit of a lad!

MaizieD Thu 08-Jul-21 10:03:50

I think that people who say that 'all politicians lie' are, in effect, saying that the people who vote for them are stupid. Why else would they vote for someone who they cannot rely on to carry out their stated intentions?

Franbern Thu 08-Jul-21 10:07:54

AND.....we are still waiting for all that money each week to go to the NHS¬¬¬

trisher Thu 08-Jul-21 10:16:57

I have been told by some very left wing people who have met Johnson that he is pretty impressive when you are introduced to him. He looks you in the eye, gives you a firm handshake, remembers your name and talks to you as if you are important. These were people who dislike him but they were still impressed. So perhaps it isn't surprising that middle England and Tory faithfuls love him.

MaizieD Thu 08-Jul-21 10:17:17

Franbern

AND.....we are still waiting for all that money each week to go to the NHS¬¬¬

Goodness, yes.

And Johnson in effect filibustered his interrogator's allotted time for questions in the Liaison Committee hearing yesterday by spouting even more lies about how much that £350,000 actually was..

MaizieD Thu 08-Jul-21 10:19:09

trisher

I have been told by some very left wing people who have met Johnson that he is pretty impressive when you are introduced to him. He looks you in the eye, gives you a firm handshake, remembers your name and talks to you as if you are important. These were people who dislike him but they were still impressed. So perhaps it isn't surprising that middle England and Tory faithfuls love him.

Bit of a secondhand car salesman, eh, trisher?

Surprised that people fall for it. It's a technique that is easily learned.

trisher Thu 08-Jul-21 10:23:42

MaizieD

trisher

I have been told by some very left wing people who have met Johnson that he is pretty impressive when you are introduced to him. He looks you in the eye, gives you a firm handshake, remembers your name and talks to you as if you are important. These were people who dislike him but they were still impressed. So perhaps it isn't surprising that middle England and Tory faithfuls love him.

Bit of a secondhand car salesman, eh, trisher?

Surprised that people fall for it. It's a technique that is easily learned.

Maybe it's because so many politicians don't even bother to learn it. Their egos are so big they think they're irresistible (Which Boris probably does as well but he realises some people actually hate him and makes the effort for them)

Skydancer Thu 08-Jul-21 10:32:44

trisher is right. That's what people like about him. He's a big personality. Same as a lot of other heads of state. Unfortunately people fall for that kind of stuff. It's celebrity culture.