Looks like Boris snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by abandoning his refreshing populism for the woke world of a global reset with control by the oligarchs who would profit financially at the expense of everyone else.
You're still overall far luckier than we here in the US. Your blonde haired tyrant strove to hilariously emulate Churchill. Ours still thinks he's Mussolini.
Strange how you waited just long enough for the global economy to tank to decide that Boris is responsible for Britain's economic woes. We didn't hear much from you two years ago.
Bojo is just another distraction in the slow sinking of HMS UK Titanic after losing two world wars, and its empire and soul. England turned the country over to foreigners long ago.
Great column,, so true. And yet FT commentators (see Janan Ganesh today) still bang on about 'the alternative [to Johnson in 2019] being worse'.
Given all we know about Johnson's lying, lawbreaking, manoeuvring to get a journalist beaten up, insulting Muslim women, Africans and gay men, disregard for parliament and the judiciary - given all that, *in what world* could Jeremy Corbyn have been worse?
I’ll leave judgement on Mr. Johnson’s domestic policy to those of you far more familiar with and affected by it than me. However, to and outsider looking in, he always seemed like one of the lads from Monty Python’s Flying Circus who was doing a prolonged skit as Prime Minister. Seeing Mr. Johnson’s exaggerated bluster, rumpled suit and uncombed hair, one expected John Cleese or Graham Chapman to pop out of his entourage at any moment in medieval armor and Jester costume. Meanwhile, as you speculate on a replacement for Mr. Johnson, let me recommend Bernie Sanders. I think he is a much better fit in the UK as a member of your Labour Party, and much of our country would be eager to make that sacrifice for the benefit our British cousins. Sorry, I’m having way to much fun with this.
Great summary -HOWEVER, I watched a deeply depressing discussion on News night , yesterday where the agreement of the panellist Tories was that the next leader HAD TO BE A BREXITER !!?!.
So as more fence sitters openly say Brexit is a disaster and a majority are clearly saying we must have better relations with the EU, the dominant party will still drive on to “ get Brexit done. WHAT ?!??
An excellent summary of the deceit, dishonesty and delusion fostered by Johnson. Unfortunately, most of his Cabinet were complicit and I hope none of them, win the battle to be the next PM, as they are all tainted by contact with Johnson. The UK system of Government is predicated on a "good chap" being in charge and when we have a "Johnson" in charge, the systems of checks and balances fall apart. That will need to be addressed regardless. But my biggest wish is that the fall of Johnson, carries with it - the demise of Brexit.
As an aside in my early days in the computer industry here, we had a salesman names Beale, who was the ultimate in bullshit, such that in meetings, we would measure what people had said in milli-beales. A "Beale" being the ultimate in bull shit.
Johnson suits the same measurement process, A "Johnson" is the ultimate in Bullshit - particularly when bullshit embraces his lies as well.
“assault on the values, institutions and traditions underpinning British society. “ Forgive me for I do hold in high esteem the UK as both kin and ally. But, you are usually pretty eager to snipe at American declarations like that in parentheses above. So I will say that upon reading it, I was reminded of Churchill’s observation on the “traditions” of the British Navy, “ Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy, and the lash.”. Today, Mr. Stephens’s phrase calls to mind EU, and UK, “extortion” of Big Tech (think MSFT / ATVI merger, etc) masquerading as “regulation; creeping Socialism; and soccer hooligans. Respectfully, if you are going dish it, you got to accept similar criticism in return.
Wow, what drugs are you taking? .....to 'believe' in the political process, now that's delusion.
Interesting. Didn't know he was out.
I don’t agree with one word of this drivel. Boris was the best prime minister we ever had! I can’t wait until he is back in power.
Thanks Steve
Brilliant piece
Looks like Boris snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by abandoning his refreshing populism for the woke world of a global reset with control by the oligarchs who would profit financially at the expense of everyone else.
don't you have anything bad to say about him???? give him credit for his hairdo if nothing else.
You're still overall far luckier than we here in the US. Your blonde haired tyrant strove to hilariously emulate Churchill. Ours still thinks he's Mussolini.
Strange how you waited just long enough for the global economy to tank to decide that Boris is responsible for Britain's economic woes. We didn't hear much from you two years ago.
Bojo is just another distraction in the slow sinking of HMS UK Titanic after losing two world wars, and its empire and soul. England turned the country over to foreigners long ago.
Great column,, so true. And yet FT commentators (see Janan Ganesh today) still bang on about 'the alternative [to Johnson in 2019] being worse'.
Given all we know about Johnson's lying, lawbreaking, manoeuvring to get a journalist beaten up, insulting Muslim women, Africans and gay men, disregard for parliament and the judiciary - given all that, *in what world* could Jeremy Corbyn have been worse?
I’ll leave judgement on Mr. Johnson’s domestic policy to those of you far more familiar with and affected by it than me. However, to and outsider looking in, he always seemed like one of the lads from Monty Python’s Flying Circus who was doing a prolonged skit as Prime Minister. Seeing Mr. Johnson’s exaggerated bluster, rumpled suit and uncombed hair, one expected John Cleese or Graham Chapman to pop out of his entourage at any moment in medieval armor and Jester costume. Meanwhile, as you speculate on a replacement for Mr. Johnson, let me recommend Bernie Sanders. I think he is a much better fit in the UK as a member of your Labour Party, and much of our country would be eager to make that sacrifice for the benefit our British cousins. Sorry, I’m having way to much fun with this.
Great summary -HOWEVER, I watched a deeply depressing discussion on News night , yesterday where the agreement of the panellist Tories was that the next leader HAD TO BE A BREXITER !!?!.
So as more fence sitters openly say Brexit is a disaster and a majority are clearly saying we must have better relations with the EU, the dominant party will still drive on to “ get Brexit done. WHAT ?!??
You are right ...The big choice in the leadership contest will be whether they can leave the obsessing over Brexit behind...
An excellent summary of the deceit, dishonesty and delusion fostered by Johnson. Unfortunately, most of his Cabinet were complicit and I hope none of them, win the battle to be the next PM, as they are all tainted by contact with Johnson. The UK system of Government is predicated on a "good chap" being in charge and when we have a "Johnson" in charge, the systems of checks and balances fall apart. That will need to be addressed regardless. But my biggest wish is that the fall of Johnson, carries with it - the demise of Brexit.
As an aside in my early days in the computer industry here, we had a salesman names Beale, who was the ultimate in bullshit, such that in meetings, we would measure what people had said in milli-beales. A "Beale" being the ultimate in bull shit.
Johnson suits the same measurement process, A "Johnson" is the ultimate in Bullshit - particularly when bullshit embraces his lies as well.
Nice metaphor!
“assault on the values, institutions and traditions underpinning British society. “ Forgive me for I do hold in high esteem the UK as both kin and ally. But, you are usually pretty eager to snipe at American declarations like that in parentheses above. So I will say that upon reading it, I was reminded of Churchill’s observation on the “traditions” of the British Navy, “ Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy, and the lash.”. Today, Mr. Stephens’s phrase calls to mind EU, and UK, “extortion” of Big Tech (think MSFT / ATVI merger, etc) masquerading as “regulation; creeping Socialism; and soccer hooligans. Respectfully, if you are going dish it, you got to accept similar criticism in return.
"Most of those now in the race to replace Johnson have been deeply complicit in the destruction he has wrought"
Indeed, some likely contenders were still standing by him when he threw in the towel.