This morning, I read a column written by journalist Margaret Evens on the CBC Website about Boris Johnson.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/boris-johnson-conservative-party-leadership-1.5214838
Being British, well, British-Canadian ... and not very proud (at the moment) to be the holder of either passport, I found her narrative very compelling, such that I have decided to share some of the content - precisely, to quote some descriptors (by order of use) that she applied to Boris as follows:
He is a "controversial ... and a refreshing and charismatic politician ... a cold-hearted ... ambitious person ... values humour and rhetoric ... an entertaining writer." He has an "outspoken, jovial presence ... a rock-star like ability." and, most important, could become a "dynamic leader". "Our country is crying out for strong, optimistic leadership" ... attached to a "more likable personality".
As I presumed in my opening remarks, I believe that the world will be better with Boris Johnson as the next Prime Minister. If only there was such a Canadian with his character but, sadly, there seems to be no one capable at present ... least of all, our present Prime Minister.
Finally, I will introduce a controversial comparison, such is my disposition; That there are the ghosts of King George II (His ancestor) and Sir Winston Churchill present. I suppose, as a British-Canadian, I should be permitted to dream.
We shall discover the answer on Tuesday, 23rd July. And, without doubt, a congratulatory message from President Donald Trump.
I pray not to be ahead of myself, and await your comments.
There's an long piece in the Tor Star today originating from the Washington Post by William Booth and Karla Adam about Johnson saying he was referred to by his fellow journalists as a HACK. (A British pejorative term, look it up). In effect he created false news as a correspondent in Brussels for the Telegraph much to the pleasure of Mr. Conrad Black, owner. His false news stirred up the English peasants into believing untrue things about the EU. This had a ripple effect among the unintelligencia encouraging the success of Brexit. He is a smart man like Trump, or a fox (news), a disrupter. Everything that worked for fifty years is being torn down by disrupters. Will they rebuild something better?
ReplyDeleteI won't be around to see what happens but you know what happens when shit hits the fan.
Thank you John for your comment; I should confess that the CBC column also contained a few other descriptors of less favourable terms which, naturally, I found little space to quote, being, in my view, time expired.
ReplyDeleteYes, he is a smart man (“like Trump”) but I feel uncomfortable with the word “disrupter” if you are referring to Trump and/or Boris, i.e., causing a problem or destroying a structure (O.E.D.) it would be better applied to the Liberals.
Boris, undoubtably, ruffled a few feathers in his time, but my research indicates that as linguist majoring in Classical Philosophy, English, Ancient Greek, and Latin, he probably was too academic to be employed as a lowly journalist, which is why he became a senior editor for a number of newspapers and journals.
As a British guy, known for English discourse, my vernacular can accept such colloquialisms such as “Hack”. No need to “look it up”, as you instruct.
By the way, “why will you not be around to see what happens”. The new Prime Minister will be announced next Tuesday, the 23rd. Where are you going ?
Bernie
Why will I not be around? Two reasons;
ReplyDelete1- the disruptive wreckage Trump and Johnson are/will take place over several years, perhaps a decade. The New Order will emerge slowly and probably on the backs of many dead people. For England, the chances of imminent catastrophe economically and as an influential world player will be sooner rather than over a decade. Imagine, England having the influence among nations equal to Canada under Trudeau. Now that will impact the Britannia many people think still exists more than closing pubs in small towns.
2. I'm a very senior citizen and will likely meet my maker in the short run.
Cheers
John
Reply on pause, pending tomorrow's ballot vote.
ReplyDeleteDear John (Could that be the title of your biography ?).
ReplyDelete1 (a) . Boris has, unsurprisingly, done it. Tomorrow, he will visit Buckingham Palace and Her Majesty will confer the title of her Prime Minister to him. Then, will begin the greatest challenge in his life (Some say, the greatest challenge facing any newly-elected Prime Minister in decades - Margaret Thatcher had the war with Argentina but also the full backing of the country). Creating a new caucus with many excellent members quitting the Party for various reasons; managing Brexit with or without a deal; plunging immediately into serious discussions with Iran. These, should give him little sleep in the next few weeks (probably months).
1 (b) The world, now, has four noteworthy leaders; Trump, Putin, Xi, and Johnson. And Canada moves further to the periphery ... with no leader in sight.
2. Visit your GP today and advise him of your intention, like me, to live to 99.
What would Benjamin Disraeli do? He was PM in turbulent times. Churchill was PM in turbulent times. They rose to the occasion for brief moments of glory and dismissal afterwards. Maybe Boris will be the same, he certainly faces turbulent times and possibly a brief interval as PM. The UK faces the unknown alone or with Trump as an ally. Putin and Xi will not do anything to help him. I will stick around to experience the outcome but it won't take till I'm 99.
ReplyDeleteA leader with a crystal ball. Now, there's a plot for your next science fiction best seller. I did not imply that the four leaders should be thought of as elevated on the same high ground, simply separating them each in their own ways as leaders ... the only leaders, depressingly, amongst the 193 members of the United Nations.
ReplyDeleteIf Canada doesn't focus on the development of its energy resources (as advised by Kevin O'Leary) it may end up on the shelf with Italy and Greece.
As is the way, this discussion, inevitably, drifts towards international politics ... worthy of controversial statements for another time (I hope). But, perhaps, I may close this discussion of Boris Johnson with a small, extraordinary, anecdote from his meeting with H.M. Queen Elizabeth II when he broke with protocol by revealing that she said, "I don't know why anybody would want that job".
ReplyDeleteToday's The Guardian reveals an introduction to Johnson's new cabinet. It is a revelation, in a sense, and as the Blog owner I will allow myself to keep this subject open with an extract from such article ... as follows:
ReplyDelete"Tory MPs have said they will join with Labour to prevent no deal, but Johnson’s senior adviser, Dominic Cummings, believes that instead of resigning if he lost a no-confidence motion, the PM could respond by scheduling a general election for November when Brexit would already have taken place".
"Meanwhile, Johnson’s new cadre of special advisers present a radical ideological mix. Cummings has been well profiled but you’ve also got Munira Mirza, a Westminster outsider once linked to Marxists but latterly a libertarian and critic of multiculturalism; Chloe Westley, a Vote Leave and TaxPayers’ Alliance veteran and free marketeer; Ross Kempsell, who comes by way of the rightwing GuidoFawkes website; and Danny Kruger, formerly of the Legatum Institute and the Telegraph, who once called for a “period of creative destruction in the public services”.
I don't know any of the names except Johnson's. I believe the vote for Brexit was a mistake and probably engineered by Russia. GB, outside of EU, will become something we cannot imagine and probably irrelevant in a world dominated by Trump, Xi, Modi with Putin snapping at the heels of the powerful. Chances are Scotland will succeed, North Ireland will be absorbed into Ireland and who knows about Wales. If Danny Kruger and others want 'creative destruction', they are on the right path. Will it be creative? The British people will judge, the world won't care.
ReplyDeleteEqually, I don’t know the names of British back-bench members, in fact, the front-bench too. Centuries of British history explain the need for Brexit. Even though European royal families have always shared their private gene pool … and it seemed to work for them, the European populace were ignorant of that and gave little respect. Thus, today, the populace remembers when (and why) it was called Great Britain. That is not to say that the populace does not accept the fall of the British Empire but, certainly, they do not see themselves part of the European gene pool … other than those taking personal and selfish advantage of the Schengen agreement. Putin may attempt to effect Brexit conditions to his advantage, but I haven’t seen any obvious evidence of that.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, although Putin, Xi, and Trump stand out as powerful, I believe that Modi is very much Xi’s puppet. Back in the day (If you’ll permit that phrase) for example, 80 years ago, Boris could have been a successful PM but, today, it remains to be seen.
Scotland (and Wales) is very unhappy about leaving the comfort of EU membership, but they would be unable to leave the UK, even when retaining EU membership, because of financial restraints (No more English pounds for their security). Northern Ireland, equally, would feel financial restraints, but their greatest achievement should be the obvious establishment of a much overdue united Ireland. Some would be wise to think; short term pain for long term gain.
Hopefully, Brexit will happen … and the world will notice.
I have nothing more to add except "Wait and see".
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteBoris might be the PM with the shortest tenure?
ReplyDeleteThere appears to be a shift taking place in democratic politics at the moment. There was a need for a more right-wing ideology in the U.S. that caused The Donald to assume power, and he seems to have proven himself competent, regardless of his character, and of the hatred that emerged from the left-wing. Equally, there was a need for a leader stronger than Ms. May in the U.K. capable with dealing with the angry E.U. Boris was the only answer, but to state that his powers have been curtailed is an understatement, and he also has a catastrophic chasm of smouldering politics to deal with, created by an angry mob that, no doubt, will be taken advantage of by a grinning E.U., that will be remembered for the next decade. Globally, this is the tip of an iceberg.
ReplyDelete