please empty your brain below
I’ve always referred to Johnson as catnip for the stupid. I once pitied the conned but have begun to despise them as more and more of their stupid, ill informed decisions cause increasing harm. Johnson and his lying, selfish ilk deserve nothing but contempt.

Phil | 08.07.22 - 7:34 a.m. | #

I've been constantly astonished that so many don't (or can't?) see what I've always thought to be transparent about Johnson's real ambition and abilities, or lack thereof. The higher he rose, the more dangerous he has become.

It's a relief that his lies and personal hubris seem to have finally stalled, if not ended, his power over the country. But I fear we're not done with him yet.

Frank F | 08.07.22 - 7:51 a.m. | #

Now can we see how your unblogged entry for Mon 6 June plays out.

BoJo preached hope and optimism to people leading crappy lives and got an 80+ seat majority, like most of the elites he'll fail upwards and go onto live a comfortable life.

I could end with 'new captain of the Titanic sought', but we're in deeper trouble than that - by 'we' I mean 'The West' in general.

Still Anon | 08.07.22 - 7:55 a.m. | #

Great post.

Richard Morris | 08.07.22 - 8:04 a.m. | #

So you don't like Boris then. I wouldn't have guessed.

Petras409 | 08.07.22 - 8:10 a.m. | #

A list of Boris Johnson's achievements

* Enabling the coining of the word Dangleway

Anything else? No, didn't think so

Ian | 08.07.22 - 8:20 a.m. | #

I commend you, sir.

Boris' rise to the top is a chilling reminder of the perils of any democracy.

I don't particularly dislike the man - there are many like him - I just passionately believe he should not be in charge of anything at all.

"Catnip for the stupid" is a great turn of phrase, but it perhaps underplays the real threat - that a significant proportion of the electorate believe that lying and cheating is an acceptable means to achieve their aim.

They are not stupid, they may well be wise, but what they certainly are is dangerous.

Michael T | 08.07.22 - 8:36 a.m. | #

What might have happened if Johnson had not been elected as mayor in 2008? (It was 53:47, so just 71,000 people switching to Livingstone would have changed the result.)

He could well have remained MP for Henley for the last 21 years, and achieved high national political office from 2010. Perhaps he would have been found out sooner, but he may have been elected as prime minister after Cameron resigned in 2016 and “got Brexit done” sooner. Or decided to back “remain” instead. Who knows.

There is a parallel universe where Trump was not elected, Brexit did not happen, and Johnson was never prime minister. Sigh.

Andrew | 08.07.22 - 8:36 a.m. | #

I can't remember how many years ago I left a comment hoping beyond hope that we had reached peak Boris, but it's far too long ago.

I do however view the continuing Conservative clown-circus with considerable trepidation. I sum up the last decade as "chaos - mostly of their own making" and don't see much that will change that.

NickW | 08.07.22 - 8:37 a.m. | #

Radio 5 just broadcast a voxpop from a lady who passionately exclaimed that Johnson had lost his position as PM due the constant bullying he'd received from GMTV.
Good grief, as Charlie Brown was wont to say. It's probably worth reflecting that she gets one vote, just like the rest of us.

Frank F | 08.07.22 - 8:39 a.m. | #

Every time I see Boris bus I am reminded of this awful man.
Pleased he has resigned but concerned that he is still running the sinking ship
I fear he may create a crisis so he stays in longer

John | 08.07.22 - 8:52 a.m. | #

“…this slimy self-interested caricature…” - wonderful! - I totally agree, & also with Andrew T about lying & cheating.

Since we’re stuck with a Tory government for now, I’d at least like to see a new PM who I respect while disagreeing with their policies. Sadly I don’t hold out much hope of that.

Toni | 08.07.22 - 8:58 a.m. | #

My mum was tested for altzeimer's recently. She couldn't recall the PM's name but accurately described him as "that ridiculous man with the awful hair". Quite.

H SE18 | 08.07.22 - 9:04 a.m. | #

Whilst you may not have liked him and never voted for him, a lot of people did, so it may be worth trying to understand why. I never voted for him either, but I could see his attraction. He represented something different - yes a liar and philanderer, but also not part of the usual metropolitan elite. He managed to break the Brexit deadlock, because whatever your feelings on it, that litle debacle did not show our ruling class in a good light. That won him the election against a nasty, driven, communist who would have been far worse that Boris has been. Nevertheless, his innate nature has since worked against him and he should have gone long ago - it just shows the quality of our politicians that it has taken this long for them to get rid of him.

Jimbo | 08.07.22 - 9:17 a.m. | #

I had a "Don't blame me I didn't vote Boris" t-shirt, but I wore it so much all the letters fell off. 🙄

Lorenzo | 08.07.22 - 9:20 a.m. | #

He has only resigned as Great Leader of the Conservative party. He still is in charge of the country. He will hold on to that position for as long as possible, even if the string of cabinet resignations continue. I would not put it past him to declare war on Russia simply so he can stay in power in an 'emergency'.

Doug Robinson | 08.07.22 - 9:21 a.m. | #

"not part of the metropolitan elite"

Corbyn a "nasty driven communist"

Thanks I needed a laugh this morning. Oh you weren't kidding?

lumma | Homepage | 08.07.22 - 9:24 a.m. | #

Living in Uxbridge I've had more active opportunities not to vote for him. I really was quite surprised that the fairly traditional Tories in the Uxbridge constituency party didn't see through him when they selected him.

Andrew Simpson | 08.07.22 - 9:36 a.m. | #

I went to a similar Oxford Union taster debate in my first term there, a few years after yours. Amongst those taking the floor was a ludicrous, scrawny caricature young fogey by the name of Jacob Rees-Mogg. He was so achingly uncool to my 18 year old eyes that I almost felt sorry for him, despite my antipathy to the Thatcherite creed he was spouting. Little did I know...

CJS | 08.07.22 - 9:44 a.m. | #

Never had an opportunity not to vote for him, but last time was allowed to not vote for Jacob Rhys Mogg which was even better.

Kev | 08.07.22 - 9:47 a.m. | #

I agree with every word here and with what Frank F said. Trying very hard not to feel the way Phil does.

After all the endless lies and grifting, not to mention breaches of national security, worth noting that Tory MPs were happy to put up with and even defend all of it, until the Mail turned.

General election now please.

Will | 08.07.22 - 10:03 a.m. | #

Now he's out on his ear (or nearly so) can we put right what he's done like reinstating the name 'Crossrail'?

TomH | 08.07.22 - 10:10 a.m. | #

I am rather disheartened by the way Johnson's recent promise to refrain from doing anything drastic while he is "caretaker" is being calmly accepted. Every previous pious promise from this scoundrel has been subsequently broken. Why on earth should we suppose that this one is going to be the exception?

Malcolm of Kent | 08.07.22 - 11:37 a.m. | #

Maybe there'll still be a chance not to vote for him on Strictly Come Dancing and Ant and Dec in the Jungle

James | 08.07.22 - 1:54 p.m. | #

Excellent post!
A lot of people are saying "why now" after all the scandals that have recently surrounded him.

I don't think his downfall has anything to do with his Tory compatriots having suddenly had a change of moral compass, but everything to do with them seeing a haemorrhaging of their voters to other parties!

Just like wot triggered Brexit to become a serious solution to a similar problem!
As DG said on the un-blogged 6th June - be careful what you wish for!

Cornish Cockney | 08.07.22 - 2:07 p.m. | #

Most politicians lie and cheat.Has tony blair found the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq yet.

coffin dodger | 08.07.22 - 2:36 p.m. | #

Yes he made some mistakes as Mayor, but he was ok in that post if you consider that a lot of that job is about "PR" and batting for London, rather than actively running day to day things.

Leaving aside policies - I suspect many on this thread are Labour supporters anyway - I've never considered him the right PERSON to be Prime Minister, due to his history of lying, shambolic personal life and morals and lack of interest in detail, something crucial in running a country.

Mikey C | 08.07.22 - 2:37 p.m. | #

Jimbo, he is the very personification of the metropolitan elite!

Wendy | 08.07.22 - 2:57 p.m. | #

People who vote for characters like Boris/Trump do so because they can't be bothered to think things through. They will grab any promise that is made to them about making their lives better. Boris/Trump understand how stupid people are and cash in on it.

Tones | 08.07.22 - 5:01 p.m. | #

Easily the worst prime minister in my lifetime. A strong candidate for the worst of all time.

Sean | 08.07.22 - 5:11 p.m. | #

Great post ^

Marmaduke Jinks | 08.07.22 - 5:45 p.m. | #

The end of sex is indeed desirable. It's usually followed by turning over and snoring.

daveid76 | 08.07.22 - 6:38 p.m. | #

I've never understood the appeal. People who I had previously thought intelligent and thoughtful happily voted for him as mayor on the basis that "he's a bit of a laugh". Which to quote Monty Python, is no basis for a system of government.

As to your last point, I sincerely hope that's true. I fear the beast may not be truly dead though

Herned | 08.07.22 - 6:58 p.m. | #

Every time people refer to Johnson as 'Boris' the fabricated lie is perpetuated.

Blue Witch | Homepage | 08.07.22 - 7:25 p.m. | #

Great post, great comments. If only the UK could dump Brexit in the same way but unfortunately this terrible person's legacy looks like it will stick around for a while.

Kevin | 08.07.22 - 8:30 p.m. | #

I have a cousin who was the Political Officer of the Henley Conservative Association when Johnson was selected who reminded me a couple of years back how split the association was on his selection. The only thing I will say now is that my (Conservative) MP in West Berkshire will at least be spared a letter from me in the local paper slagging this ghastly man off every month. A disgrace to decency, honesty etc but above all, a totally self-absorbed narcissist. Vile.

J. | 08.07.22 - 11:23 p.m. | #

All the current hysteria aside, he'll be ranked about mid-table, perhaps lower-middle after the series of recent scandals, in the list of PMs. Resolved the Brexit impasse (v impressive), locked down (controversial), then squandered a huge majority with no real plan for anything for two years.

I say this also never having voted for him - in the second-to-last election DG mentions, I voted for his opponent. I was not able to vote in any other.

barbicanman | 09.07.22 - 2:07 a.m. | #

There will be a safe seat in eastern London ready and waiting for him at the next election.

Mark | 09.07.22 - 7:43 a.m. | #

Imagine seeing an Eton and Oxford educated Islington dweller and thinking "he's not the privileged metropolitan elite"

Ian | 09.07.22 - 9:20 a.m. | #

When people vote, do they vote for their local representative (MP, Councillor, etc) or do they vote for the party the person is representing?

I suspect many vote for the party and not the person. Hence why idiots like Johnston, Mogg, etc. get into power.

Jon Jones | 09.07.22 - 9:30 p.m. | #

"I really was quite surprised that the fairly traditional Tories in the Uxbridge constituency party didn't see through him when they selected him. "

Boris was bessie mates with Ray Puddifoot, then-Council leader and Napoleon-syndrome archetype, who would have bulldozed any internal party opposition as he did on so many other things. Rumour has it that Puddifoot especially supported Boris due to that (pie in the sky) Essex estuary airport plan. If it had happened, in theory a downgraded Heathrow would have sold off land for building houses on, political theory has it that homeowners lean right, so lots more Tory votes into the south of the borough which is currently a Labour stronghold. Boris rewarded lickspittle Ray with a knighthood.

Bob | 10.07.22 - 9:17 a.m. | #

Jimbo, breaking the Brexit deadlock isn’t an achievement if you achieve it through lying - it’s a sin.

Sebastian Hamfinger | 10.07.22 - 11:02 a.m. | #

Good riddence to the man who once called his 150k salary from a newspaper as'Chicken Feed'

Bruce Wayne | 10.07.22 - 8:19 p.m. | #











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