The Case for Boris
Guido has learned that Boris has been discussing the possibility of running for Mayor since at least January. Boris is concerned that he first has to have the support of his constituency if he is to devote six months to campaigning for the job. Surely Henley can spare him in the noble quest to finally rid London of Ken?
The Succinct Case for Boris:
- He is high profile and likeable. He has name and face recognition that matches Ken Livingstone. Very few people outside the Conservative activist base know any of the other candidates.
- He would be the popular grassroots choice with his own party activists.
- He reaches out to those not usually interested in politics.
- He is a talented media performer and campaigner.
- He can win.
There are only ten days left to draft him, nominations close Monday July 16th. Currently over 80% of those polled by Guido want Boris to run...
UPDATE : Hammersmith Tory councillor Harry Phibbs, writing for the Conservative leaning think-tank the Social Affairs Unit, backed Boris for Mayor in January.
UPDATE : Hammersmith Tory councillor Harry Phibbs, writing for the Conservative leaning think-tank the Social Affairs Unit, backed Boris for Mayor in January.
92 comments:
I think you are missing the point here. Boris is talented and would make a good candidate but he would not beat Ken. Ken has cross party electoral support. I have never voted Labour but if I were a Londoner I would vote for Ken. He cares passionately about London, understands its complex social mix, has courage and says and does things that others would baulk at because he has no other political ambitions. It says much about the Conservative party that it does not seem to have a single credible Londoner who can take him on.
Boris lives in London and is credible.
Ken hangs out with left-wing dictators and relentlessly splurges millions on self promotion.
southerner "...he cares passionately about London". Who the fuck are you talking about? Livingstone cares passionately about Livingstone who is an unreconstructed left wing ideologue.
The succinct case:
point 1 - agree, but WHY is he high profile & likable? Because he amuses people with his "dumb toff" persona.
point 2 - popular yes. Their choice? I doubt it once they think about it properly.
point 3 - Definetly, but is this enough?
point 4 - yes....on Have I Got News For You & er, thats it.
point 3 - bollocks.
Forgot, 5 comes after 4 (its early)!
Got to agree with southener, we need substance not celebrity. I am sorry Guido but you were wrong on Deputy Labour Leader and while popular with Tories - most Londoners think he is a philander with an overblown opinion of his own abilities.
Please give Londoner's a real candidate - please, we are desperate!
Boris would be good for London but would London be good for Boris. He's have to give up the plush seat of Henley and his cushy cabinet post. He might not have enough time to devote to his writing. And he'd have to attend all sorts of boring agit prop meetings with irritating ill-educated malcontents.
Dear southerner,
Red Ken is an anti semite and a marxist/leftist idiot who hates London and its capitalist ways! he has tried to sabbotage and destroy the wealth creators and encourage the leftist destruction of London.
He would rather see a London filled with immigrants and benifit addicts! Always with an eye to ensuring a majority for the leftists! The man is an anti British scumbag! and you are a NULAB troll!
But of course all the positives are outwayed by the main negative - he would be crap. Seriously.
The only thing the Conservatives can do is limit the amount Ken wins by. Unless they pursuade Branson to stand of course.
english democrat said...
How long has Red Ken the Destroyer been Mayor now? Give us examples of the wealth creators he has destroyed, where is the leftist destruction? If you don't like the man and think someone else can do a better job, just say so. But don't exagerate or tell fibs just to get your point accross (you an MP by any chance?).
I like Red Ken. His tax on plebs driving in London has made it much easier for me to get my S Class Mercedes down Oxford Street. He is so left wing he has come around to being right wing again.
I think Tories should support Red Ken as mayor of London and really embarrass Labour. His tax on tourists using the tube and buses was really top notch. That will make Johnny Foreigner think twice about coming to the UK and clogging up our cities too.
I don't have to agree with Ken's politics to think he is best choice for London. Why can't those who seem to hate him so vehmently find a credible opponent? You know why. They are afraid they would lose and they probably would. (Look what happened to poor Frank Dobson)
I like him far too much as an MP. Shadow cabinet I say.
draft boris !!
anonymous said...9.39
You did a typo, extra r in your first word.
"The man is an anti British scumbag! and you are a NULAB troll!"
Nah, he isn't really. He likes to give that impression but the truth is he likes getting on the telly and will say anything to get attention (and votes). One day he sucks up to gay blokes (then gets into a strop when leaving a party - well you would wouldn't you) next day he's sucking up to Mozzies. He really will say anything to anybody, and the dimwits fall for it every time.
Apart from that he pretty much keeps out of everyone elses hair. He is, after all, a complete waste of space that couldn't run a piss-up in a brewery. But at least he knows that and keeps well out of it. He just likes to appear in the photos.
Only problem with Ken is he also sucks up to big business and we end up with giant gherkins everywhere where the occupants of said gherkin are going to live.
Mind you, Shagger Norris isn't that far behind Kenny. Someone with a higher profile like Boris might just pull it off. Especially when you think that most Londoners don't vote. I think only about 15% voted for Ken.
He *can* win, definitely , but I'm worried.
I hope he keeps the congestion charge and the Oyster rates as low as they have been. Whatever Ken may have done, those two things have improved my quality of life living and working in London immeasurably.
What's his position?
Oh, and there was the Sultan's Elephant thing. Might sound trivial, but it was a big deal to me.
Some people say Boris can't win, but I suspect he is much more likely to win than any of the other potentials I have seen mooted. The London job is unusual in British politics and a big persona and willingness to say what he thinks rather than spout the "message" are big pluses.
As 9.46 points out most Londoners don't vote, but many dislike Ken so a solid campaign by Boris to replace Ken with someone high profile but low danger might get people to throw Ken out.
Harry Phibbs knows what he's talking about - other Tories would do well to listen to him.
The race would be fun but don't kid yourself that Londoners would vote for amusement. Ken has locked up his vote and Boris will be humiliated with about 20%!
Why are we even having this discussion? Boris falls right into the "Screaming Lord Sutch" category, great fun but don't let him anywhere near real power for christs sake! Come on, you are all supposed to be intellectual people. Guido is pulling your string on this one, this is all about his wicked sense of humour.
Boris Johnson versus Garry Bushell - but which one is Punch and which one is Judy?
And is Red Ken, Toby the dog?
Guido you are a wag!!! Doris for mayor? The Tories hit rock bottom, not quite, Ann Widdecombe may also stand.
Ann Widdecombe is not as ugly as you think.
Could they stand as a pair, they could stand as the two trolls, Doris Troll and Ann Troll.
Boris Johnson For Mayor.
He is, sadly, also lazy, dishonest and has become so good at seeming thick that quite often he IS thick.
Ken may be a rabid socialist and totalitarian, but he's more consistent and honest than Boris.
Still- if Johnson would ban bendy buses and the new 'low emission zone' mularky, he'd get my vote.
Twice if he'd restrict the financial damage that the Olympics will do to London.
We should forget trying to win and put Boris up as joke candidate, make the whole election a farce.
Isn't that what the Tories are doing?
Evidently the 'climbing the greasy pole' members of the Conservative party view being London Mayor as the kiss of death. Otherwise you would be crushed in the stampede to be the candidate!
I do wish though that somebody would rid of Red Ken - his wheezes are just too expensive.
"Screaming Lord Sutch"
Hasn't Parliament already enacted most of his proposals?
Put Doris (Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson - his real name) in charge of Londons Mayor budget!!!! Isn't his best friend Darius Guppy, who was convicted of a £1.8 million insurance scam.
if he has been discussing since january, why hasn't he already found out what henley makes of it?
What is happening to the Conservative party?
A clever and media friendly man he may be but he does not have the respect or gravitas to win against Ken.
Some of the grass roots may like him although this support is more likely from the Cameroon new tories rather than the real grass roots.
Many non-tories like him for his joviality and chat-show humour but that does not mean they would want someone like that as mayor.
Is this the best we can do. Another of Camerons Eton drinking chums. Surely we can find someone of stature, achievement, and drive rather an a polticial opportunist.
Ed said..."Screaming Lord Sutch. Hasn't Parliament already enacted most of his proposals?"
Yes between 1979 and 1997.
If Doris had black hair he would be Reginald Krays double.
There was a reality tv programme on BBC1 last night about a porky publicity-seeking harridan who was a cross between Hyacinth Bouquet and Widow Twanky. She is apparently NuLab aristocracy and very similar to the fat slags who sit on the Labour back benches. Boris is just too attractive, charismatic and amusing for humourless NuLab anonymongs.
Desperate Dan said...Boris is just too attractive, charismatic and amusing for humourless NuLab anonymongs.
Wow, Desperate Dan loves Doris, Desperate Dan loves Doris. It must be Desperate Danny La Rue.
OT but gossip Guido
Anybody had a read of the Praguetory blog ,he has a guest blogger ,who has a piece with a pro EU slant ,it has to be a late 1st April joke ,but as I am an EU sceptic and pro but hate the the guy who is in the White House American ,it's like a red rag to a bull,if I had a back garden I would be looking to dig grandad's wwii steel hat and 303 up,it's worth a read.
Anonymous said...Wow, Desperate Dan loves Doris, Desperate Dan loves Doris. It must be Desperate Danny La Rue.
Are you suggesting that DESPERATE DANny La Rue takes it up the Johnson?
Come on everyone knows what goes on at Eton! So stop the Doris stuff, we must all be more understanding.
Is that Eton scholl for nice boys?
Anonymous said...Is that Eton scholl for nice boys?
Scholl??? Is that how posh people spell schoolold boy? Tory twat!
Pleeeaaase someone, vote no - If it gets to be over 90&=% in favour it will just look saddamesque...
Come on boys, Guido is very forgiving of mistakes (well his own anyway).
I tried to vote no, and I like the guy, but i think this is a GUIDO vote!!!!!
Boris and his wife were lying in bed one night and the next doors dog started to bark.
yap yap yap bark yap bark bark bark howl bark yap yap.
Boris got angry and stormed downstairs to sort the dog out.
Five minutes later he jumps back into bed and puts the lights out.
next thing....
yap yap bark bark yap howl howl bark yap yap.
His wife says: 'Boris, I thought you were going to sort the dog out???!!?'
Boris replies:'I did!! I tied him up in our garden!! Now see how he fucking likes it!!!
and you want him to be mayor.
If Boris is indeed lazy that is a good thing.
The LESS politicians do the better, as long as they tax us even less into the bargain and allow people to get on with their lives in safety.
If Boris hijacks Ken's pledges on low Oyster charges and pushed for investment in Crossrail etc, then people will support him. Anyhow Ken hates Routemasters and I suspect Boris loves 'em.
However, someone mentioned an important thing - Boris may be good for London, but London might not be good for Boris. It may actually be a selfish thing on the supporters' part to push for Boris to be Mayor.
Roger Thornhill said..."It may actually be a selfish thing on the supporters' part to push for Boris to be Mayor."
Like Doris thinks of anyone but himself!
No mention of this in the New Statesman's Tamsin Lightwater "Tara Hamilton-Miller"
Gary Elsby stoke-on-trent
You really are the most pointless waste of space in the history of the human species. Now fuck off back to your dismal little pottery town.
Sod Boris... Phibbs for Mayor!
Inflation is out of control and interest rates are going much higher. The pyramid scam that is the UK economy is going to go pop and Brown is going to carry the can for it.
Rtaes up .25% in 15 minutes time and upto at leat 6.5% by early next year5
Run Boris, Run.
Do run run.
Anything is an improvement on that wanker Norris.
Boris also makes a refreshing change from dour, shit faced professional politicoes of the left, and that cyborg Red Ken. I'm convinced that Ken is a lizard.
whether Boris is a worthy mayoral candidate or not, he's a national treasure. Perhaps bronze effigies of him could be put on London rooftops and walkways, a la Antony Gormley's Event Horizon?
Or give away Doris pencil trolls at every polling booth.
Interest rates are UP AGAIN.
I predict 6.5% by next spring and upto at least 7% by the end of next year, with inflation still gripping the economy.
Brown's "economic miracle" is a debt fuelled sham which will end in stagflation.
It's going to get very nasty.
Yes bring back the Tories, I want 15% interest rates again.
Yes between 1979 and 1997.
So does that mean that Screaming Lord Sutch was unpopular?
Boris is also a fucking turk so he can play the race card an appeal to jonny foreigner as well as decent folk.
Yes, please bring back the Tories.
I want my house reposessed with negative equity to go with it.
Charles Darwin:
Fuck off Cunt!
Oh dear, the trolls seem agitated today, don't they?
McStutter doing badly at PMQs and Boris being considered for Mayor...
Don't panic, don't panic!
Yes Tories friends don't panic, Doris and Dave will save us..... God we are doomed.
Boris looks like he'd actually enjoy getting spanked by Ken, so he's probably the Tories' best bet - they need to learn how to lose graciously if they're ever to stand any hope of one day winning.
Go on you white haired wonder.
There is now a Draft Boris campaign site - http://draftboris.blogspot.com/
What the fuck is happening to the Conservative party?
We need a decent leader and not a glorified brand manager. We need people with principals, beliefs, earned respect and vision beyond their own self advancement. Get this and the brand takes care of itself.
Boris as mayor - just another nail in the coffin for genuine Conservatives. About time we had a credible alternative right wing party to vote for.
We do UKIP, they will get my vote!
Southerner
I suppose you think Red Kens support of the infamous & fascistic theocrat Dr Qaradawi is ok too?
I suppose you support homosexuals being thrown from the highest roof in their town too, don't you?
If Londonistan does not get itself together, the real English people may insist that Red Ken declares independence for his Islamo-Socialist Theocracy in the making.
I cannot for the life of me understand the lefts alliance with Islam - surely left & right are part of the same democratic spectrum? Theocrats are clearly not a part of that, so why the support & appeasement & apologies for Islam from the left?
I am beginning to suspect that the western liberal left would side with anyone & anything that could possibly bring about the end of the western world as we know it - & Islam certainly fits that bill.
Just visited the flaxen-haired one's web site in case he had anything to say about his mayoral prospects. (Nope.)
Imagine my horror when I noticed the following credit on the site:
Produced by: Tim Ireland
Perhaps this was common knowledge, but I feel the need to lie down. Can I rescind my vote for Boris?
Ken Livingstone?
Thinks he is the president of a city state.
Acts like he's the president of a city state - overseas embassies?
Oil trading?
Introduced the world's lamest C-charge system in the face of the opposition of his technical chief (Derek Turner). It costs £4.75 per car per day to administer - so he had to put it up to £8.
The C-Charge extension will never break even and shops are now closing in K&C.
The bus fleet costs £750m per year in subsidy. In 1998 it made a £100k surplus.
Thanks to road space removal and perverse traffic light timings pollution (nitrogen dioxide, particulates) in central London has rocketed since 2001 - just ask the Knightsbridge society.
Every major city in the world is switching to gas-power for their public road transport - why have we got 8500 diesel buses and 21,000 diesel cabs ('the most polluting public sector vehicles in Europe' senior GM Europe engineer).
He has bill going through the Lords to allow him to take control of roads running to the edge of greater London, so he can add more tolls. Why?
Borderline anti-semitic and very dodgy in the face of extremist elements from the East.
Stupid 6th form politics - eg the fight over the Fire Service appointments.
Gave his missus a job at the GLA on 95K per year....
Why Boris?
Non-ideologue, almost apolitical.
Will shrink the role back down to what it should be.
Probably sees that with local councils and the GLA, we have enough government in London.
Will appoint non-political experts to run the infrastructure. The TFL board is nothing more than Ken and four mates trying to reclaim the streets.
Will easily work with GLA instead of fighting with them.
Will step back and let the real experts - police, fire, etc to get on with the job.
Won't want to start controlling the train services coming in from the Home counties for political purposes.
Famously bikes everywhere.
Can dump some powers that Livingstone has tried to gain.
Doesn't believe in some bizzarre trans-national mega city, that drives out middle class families at the expense of drifting global workers at the serious expense of long-term prosperity and social cohesion.
That's why....
morrocan roll
"Yes bring back the Tories, I want 15% interest rates again. "
Me too, I might actually be able to afford buy a house in London once the bubble has burst.
anonymous 10:30am
Ann Widdecombe is not as ugly as you think.
How do you know this? I try not to think about Anne Widdecombe's allures - in fact, i'd prefer to be braindead than risk doing so.
But on a more positive note...
wouldn't she and Prezza make a lovely couple?
"Ann Widdecombe is not as ugly as you think."
He's right. Any trip to ASDA in Swindon will confirm it.
Ken is sexy. But Boris is much, much sexier. I say he'd win.
anonymous 4:52pm
I know, I know, this modern architecture just has no soul - it just does not excite one.
Anne Widdecombe on the other hand...
I'd push my provisions through her checkout anyday.
What the feck is going on, is this national looney day? First there is a plethora of morons who think Boris would actually make a good mayor, then what seems like representatives of the blind society actually think Ann Widacombe is worth one! Widacombe? Wid I fuck!
lilith
you give hope to fat dishevelled middle aged men everywhere.
For that we thank you.
Go on Boris. London needs you!
If Boris is the answer - it must have been a bloody stupid question!
London needs him - yes the Plague turned out pretty well in the end and we just have to wait for Mr Boris "call me Samuel" Johnson to get all fired up.
Rats to that!
Dearest Hitch,
I was hoping that you would pop in next door as I have just been done over by a couple of NULAB rottweilers! I got out of my depth and got bitten! I can only hope you get them next time they show up.
heres hoping!
I vote for the Hitch as sexiest man on the net!
Its the horns that do it for me!
"The Case for Boris "
needs to be nailed down firmly once he's in it!
anon 8.16
Hear, hear. The most sensible thing said in the past 2-days on this topic.
anon at 3.39 pm is right (so is Lilith)
Being likeable is not enough. The public like Jade Goody. That doesn't mean she would ever be mayor, or for that matter, PM.
Johnson's childish twatiness is appealing but only because it shows what a joke the conservative front bench is.
nony 1:47 pm, it doesn't look that great for the Conservative Party when even their loyalists won't go on the record and leave their names, does it?
anonymous 1:03am
Being likeable is not enough. The public like Jade Goody. That doesn't mean she would ever be mayor, or for that matter, PM.
why not? u trying to say im not colliflied - get this mate, I'm a greedy self-serving manipulative racist bitch with personality
Better Bonking Boris Than Shagger Norris.
On Facebook NOEL EDMONDS just signed up to I'm Backing Boris!
On the face of it I can't think of a better man for the job of dismantling the gruesome Ken The K*nt's Kongestion Kharge. From what I have heard there are already plans in position for the extension of the charge further westward (never any other way you note - not enough Tories). The sooner Boris is firmly esconced in the Porsche 928 headlamp the better as far as I am concerned.
@southerner: Ken is an utter bastard who is doing his best to destroy London. His campaigns succeed in the nastiest possible ways, usually by playing on racial minorities. Hence the sponsoring of racial minority black-cab drivers. What about the white ones who are just as in need of the cash, but who manage without it? You have about as much understanding of this issue as a flattened mongoose.
Boris is a good candidate for mayor, he's well known, well-liked, and is the only conservative other than Cameron that anyone has ever heard of. Mayor of London would be a great coup for the conservatives, I'm sure that Boris' constituency could spare him for a while...
exmouth 11.32 (and all the others..you know who you are). Yes Boris is well known, so is Hitler, Jade Goody, George Bush, Michael Barrymore, Tony Blair etc. but would you want any of them as Mayor? Yes he is well liked (maybe not by those he has shagged & dumped), but so was Benny from Crossroads. But he would be no bloody good at the job. For fucks sake, ask anyone who employs people, you have your list of preferrable attributes, then you have your essential requirements...and one of these is ALWAYS an ability to do the job. End of. No more. Stop this fucking nonsense right now. Boris cannot be Mayor.
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