O/T:- Wise words about Boris

[sidders]

BELOW IS PART OF MAX HASTINGS' ASSESSMENT OF JOHNSON. HASTINGS IS A TORY, FORMER EDITOR OF THE TORYGRAPH AND FOR MANY YEARS BOZO'S BOSS.

Johnson would not recognise truth, whether about his private or political life, if confronted by it in an identity parade. In a commonplace book the other day, I came across an observation made in 1750 by a contemporary savant, Bishop Berkeley: “It is impossible that a man who is false to his friends and neighbours should be true to the public.” Almost the only people who think Johnson a nice guy are those who do not know him.

There is, of course, a symmetry between himself and Jeremy Corbyn. Corbyn is far more honest, but harbours his own extravagant delusions. He may yet prove to be the only possible Labour leader whom Johnson can defeat in a general election. If the opposition was led by anybody else, the Tories would be deservedly doomed, because we would all vote for it. As it is, the Johnson premiership could survive for three or four years, shambling from one embarrassment and debacle to another, of which Brexit may prove the least.

For many of us, his elevation will signal Britain’s abandonment of any claim to be a serious country. It can be claimed that few people realised what a poor prime minister Theresa May would prove until they saw her in Downing Street. With Boris, however, what you see now is almost assuredly what we shall get from him as ruler of Britain.

We can scarcely strip the emperor’s clothes from a man who has built a career, or at least a lurid love life, out of strutting without them. The weekend stories of his domestic affairs are only an aperitif for his future as Britain’s leader. I have a hunch that Johnson will come to regret securing the prize for which he has struggled so long, because the experience of the premiership will lay bare his absolute unfitness for it.

If the Johnson family had stuck to showbusiness like the Osmonds, Marx Brothers or von Trapp family, the world would be a better place. Yet the Tories, in their terror, have elevated a cavorting charlatan to the steps of Downing Street, and they should expect to pay a full forfeit when voters get the message. If the price of Johnson proves to be Corbyn, blame will rest with the Conservative party, which is about to foist a tasteless joke upon the British people – who will not find it funny for long.

[macse15]

BELOW IS PART OF MAX HASTINGS' ASSESSMENT OF JOHNSON. HASTINGS IS A TORY, FORMER EDITOR OF THE TORYGRAPH AND FOR MANY YEARS BOZO'S BOSS.

Johnson would not recognise truth, whether about his private or political life, if confronted by it in an identity parade. In a commonplace book the other day, I came across an observation made in 1750 by a contemporary savant, Bishop Berkeley: “It is impossible that a man who is false to his friends and neighbours should be true to the public.” Almost the only people who think Johnson a nice guy are those who do not know him.

There is, of course, a symmetry between himself and Jeremy Corbyn. Corbyn is far more honest, but harbours his own extravagant delusions. He may yet prove to be the only possible Labour leader whom Johnson can defeat in a general election. If the opposition was led by anybody else, the Tories would be deservedly doomed, because we would all vote for it. As it is, the Johnson premiership could survive for three or four years, shambling from one embarrassment and debacle to another, of which Brexit may prove the least.

For many of us, his elevation will signal Britain’s abandonment of any claim to be a serious country. It can be claimed that few people realised what a poor prime minister Theresa May would prove until they saw her in Downing Street. With Boris, however, what you see now is almost assuredly what we shall get from him as ruler of Britain.

We can scarcely strip the emperor’s clothes from a man who has built a career, or at least a lurid love life, out of strutting without them. The weekend stories of his domestic affairs are only an aperitif for his future as Britain’s leader. I have a hunch that Johnson will come to regret securing the prize for which he has struggled so long, because the experience of the premiership will lay bare his absolute unfitness for it.

If the Johnson family had stuck to showbusiness like the Osmonds, Marx Brothers or von Trapp family, the world would be a better place. Yet the Tories, in their terror, have elevated a cavorting charlatan to the steps of Downing Street, and they should expect to pay a full forfeit when voters get the message. If the price of Johnson proves to be Corbyn, blame will rest with the Conservative party, which is about to foist a tasteless joke upon the British people – who will not find it funny for long.

Brilliant !

[Elite_Pie]

"For many of us, his elevation will signal Britain’s abandonment of any claim to be a serious country".

I'm one of the many. I still can't understand how this country has become such a joke.

[Notsohumblepie]

Brilliant !

As we all seem to be indulging in a "who said what " game of cut & paste, perhaps more words from Mr Hastings' erstwhile boss might be appropriate ( without capital letters)

" He ( Max) was an unconditional euro-integrationist but eventually, after he left us, he recanted and said it had all been a horrible mistake. He has now returned to his earlier version of the British national interest, and proposes headfirst immersion in Europe. He is a well-oiled weathervane. Boris has been consistent and even courageous on this most important issue"

I guess you pays your money, and takes your choice .

[Bushwacka]

As we all seem to be indulging in a "who said what " game of cut & paste, perhaps more words from Mr Hastings' erstwhile boss might be appropriate ( without capital letters)

" Boris has been consistent and even courageous on this most important issue"

I guess you pays your money, and takes your choice .

He's been 'consistent and courageous' as it was his only ever ticket into No.10.

Westminster is a shambles; both the absolute shower that are currently running it and the utterly abject 'opposition'.

[Old_pie]

BELOW IS PART OF MAX HASTINGS' ASSESSMENT OF JOHNSON. HASTINGS IS A TORY, FORMER EDITOR OF THE TORYGRAPH AND FOR MANY YEARS BOZO'S BOSS.

Is that the same Max that was described as " an ill-tempered snob with a short attention span” by owner of said newspaper during Hastings' time?

[seriouspie]

Is that the same Max that was described as " an ill-tempered snob with a short attention span” by owner of said newspaper during Hastings' time?

Yes Conrad Black ......... owner of the Telegraph and employer of Hastings at the time. Insignificant Sidney should read (via Google) his views on Hastings which tells an entirely different story regarding Hastings V Boris as people - and who he would trust between the two of them.

[sidders]

Yes Conrad Black ......... owner of the Telegraph and employer of Hastings at the time. Insignificant Sidney should read (via Google) his views on Hastings which tells an entirely different story regarding Hastings V Boris as people - and who he would trust between the two of them.

Oh, is Max Hastings running for PM? It doesn't reeally matter or not whether I trust him then, does it?

[seriouspie]

Oh, is Max Hastings running for PM? It doesn't reeally matter or not whether I trust him then, does it?

Re(e)ally?

No of course Hastings is not running for PM, what has this to do with your comments? Your comments were based on a character opinion of Boris by his ex boss Hastings. In turn I was quoting the thoughts of Hasting's old boss of what he thought of him ........ a brilliant journalist in parts, but a dyed in the wool Leftie and snob to boot. Also in conclusion Black would trust Boris more than Hastings.

[sidders]

Re(e)ally?

No of course Hastings is not running for PM, what has this to do with your comments? Your comments were based on a character opinion of Boris by his ex boss Hastings. In turn I was quoting the thoughts of Hasting's old boss of what he thought of him ........ a brilliant journalist in parts, but a dyed in the wool Leftie and snob to boot. Also in conclusion Black would trust Boris more than Hastings.

On that basis, I'm a sleeping Tory as this month's underpants are blue.