It’s looking extremely likely that Boris Johnson will become our next unelected Prime Minister. As he steps up to take on such a massive role, it’s only right we have a look at his career and comments from recent years.
Many may have viewed Johnson as a harmless clown in the past but I urge anyone who still believes that to read ahead and learn some facts about the next man who’ll lead our country through one of our most turbulent times.
1) Boris and sexism
On the subject of women, particularly women in work, Boris has said some truly shocking things. Below are just a few examples of the archaic views he has about females and some of his actions.
- “They’ve got to find men to marry.” (Boris on why women go to university)
- “Voting Tory will cause your wife to have bigger breasts and increase your chances of owning a BMW M3.” (Boris on why you should vote Tory)
- As editor of The Spectator, he reduced the salary of deputy editor Petronella Wyatt who he later embarked on an affair with.
- Boris Johnson was forced to apologise after calling Shadow Foregin Secretary Emily Thornberry by her husband’s title to ridicule her.
2) Boris and Brexit
Boris is complicit in on of the most damaging lies in British history and used Brexit merely as a tool to further his own career; with no regard to the damage, the division and uncertainty it can cause the UK.
Boris Johnson unveils leadership campaign bus: pic.twitter.com/sQnBVIJlSq
— Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) June 10, 2019
3) Boris and the riots
In 2011, riots were rife across London. Where was their Mayor? On holiday. It was only after intense public pressure that Boris Johnson actually cut his jolly short and returned to our capital to fulfill his duties as Mayor.
Johnson’s failings as Mayor of London concerning the riots doesn’t end there – in 2017 we finally sold the unusable water cannons he bought; costing the taxpayer a loss of £300,000.
4) Boris and racism
To discuss all Boris Johnson’s racist comments and actions would require an entirely separate blog but here are a few things he’s said and done over the years:
- “There has been a whiff of the witch-hunt… Am I alone in wondering whether a sensible attempt to find justice for the family of Stephen Lawrence has given way to hysteria?” (Boris Johnson on the Met Police investigation of Stephen Lawrence’s murder)
- “The minority tyranny of apartheid… followed by the majority tyranny of black rule.” (Boris in 2003 on South Africa)
- “Flag-waving piccaninnies” (What Boris called Commonwealth citizens)
- Boris Johnson once described people from Congo as having “watermelon smiles”
- In 2002, in his Spectator column, Boris said “Africa is a mess, but we can’t blame colonialism”
Had these comments come from a working class person, there would have, rightly, been called out for their racism but Boris got away with it and they were all dubbed ‘gaffes’.
5) Boris and LGBTQ rights
June is Pride Month and it’s an insult that we will see a new Prime Minister who has said things like “We don’t want our children being taught some rubbish about homosexual marriage being the same as normal marriage” and “If [gay marriage] was okay…then i see no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men; or indeed, three men and a dog”.
Our LGBTQ friends deserve better than a bigot in charge of our country.
6) Boris and taxes and expenses
It comes as no shock that one of Boris Johnson’s first act as PM will be to give himself and his cronies a big tax cut as the poor in the UK slips further into poverty.
Boris’ finances and expenses have been under scrutiny for many years but perhaps one of the most shocking to me is that Boris Johnson, as the Mayor of London, once tried to claimed £16.50 for a Remembrance Sunday wreath on his expenses during his time as an MP.
Everything this man does is for himself and his own pocket’s benefit.
7) Boris and Liverpool
Prime Minister or not, I will do everything in my power to ensure Boris Johnson is banned from our city. He is not welcome in Liverpool!
For any Scousers who think Boris may be a Tory but ‘he’s funny’ – remember this is what potentially the next PM of this country said about us and our city pic.twitter.com/HQWx6JZRGW
— Lawrence Kenwright (@LawKenwright) May 24, 2019