Boris Johnson uses his clown's mask to conceal his Machiavellian side
at last has his rendezvous with the great British public. Mr Johnson was installed in Downing Street in July by an electorate of just 160,000 Conservative Party members. Now he has to prove himself before a larger and more critical audience. This audience will be bombarded with promises and propaganda over the next six weeks. But Mr Johnson’s unusual probationary period in Downing Street gives them a chance to judge him by his record.
One thing is certain: he has defied expectations, both positive and negative. Mr Johnson was frequently presented as a jovial figure—a clown or Bertie Wooster-style buffoon. He liked to make people laugh. He laced his language with eccentric phrases. He created an impression of affable disorganisation. But though he can still make people smile, he is much more focused and disciplined than anyone expected. The iron has entered his soul.
More recently Mr Johnson has applied the same drive that he applied to Brexit to securing a general election, fixating on a particular date and threatening to go on strike if the opposition parties didn’t bend to his will. This has produced some criticism about moving the goal posts. Philip Hammond, a former chancellor, accused Mr Johnson of “blocking Brexit” in order to pursue a wider objective of shifting the Tory party to the right. That is not quite right.
A second image is that of a greased piglet. This comes courtesy of David Cameron, Mr Johnson’s junior at Eton by two years and senior in Downing Street by nine, who recently told an audience in Yorkshire that “the thing about the greased piglet is that he manages to slip through other people’s hands where mere mortals fail.” Mr Johnson has broken an ever-lengthening list of pledges. He pledged to deliver Brexit “do or die” by October 31st, only to discover that he couldn’t.
The third image is that of Machiavelli. Mr Johnson employs all the great Florentine’s tactics. He treats his opponents as enemies of the people. He throws his allies under the bus as soon as they cease to be useful . He uses his clown’s mask to great effect to conceal his Machiavellian side, saying toxic things one moment and telling a good joke the next. He breaks the rules of politics in ways that shock old hands such as Sir John Major.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
ITV To Host UK Election Debate Between Boris Johnson & Jeremy CorbynITV has revealed that it will host a UK election debate between incumbent prime minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on November 19. Britain will head to the polls on December 12 …
Consulte Mais informação »
Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party Fires Election Warning at Boris JohnsonNigel Farage, leader of the upstart Brexit Party, described British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s divorce deal with the EU as a “sell out” and threatened to run a national election campaign against him unless he promises to ditch the agreement.
Consulte Mais informação »
Donald Trump weighs in on UK election backing Boris JohnsonPresident Trump predicted that Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage would work together to deliver Brexit. 'If you and he get together it's an unstoppable force ... I wish you guys could get together, I think you'd be a great team.'
Consulte Mais informação »
Boris Johnson will reject Nigel Farage's election offer of a Brexit alliance pactBoris Johnson has no interest in ditching his Brexit deal and forming an electoral pact with Nigel Farage.
Consulte Mais informação »
Trump backs 'fantastic' Boris Johnson and says Jeremy Corbyn would take UK to 'bad places' - Business InsiderTrump backs 'fantastic' Boris Johnson and says Jeremy Corbyn would take UK to 'bad places'
Consulte Mais informação »
Trump says Boris Johnson's Brexit plan means the US 'can’t make a trade deal with the UK' - Business Insider'To be honest with you, this deal, under certain aspects of the deal, you can't do it [...] We can't make a trade deal with the UK,' Trump said.
Consulte Mais informação »