Boris Johnson pillar box comment

[stillamum22]

I'm just appalled by his comments on the Burka. In my opinion there's no barrel he won't scrape to get backing from sections of the British population to be leader of the Tory party. Really is Boris reflecting Brits opinions or just a nasty potty mouth racist? I'm curious to get the opinion of the good women of MN

The Burka is a misogynistic vile article of clothing with no place in a civilized society. Boris was clumsy but not racist in his comments. And "good women of mumsnet"??

Boris tends to open his mouth before thinking. It might have been better not to say that, but it made us laugh. That's what Boris is for! And no, I don't think it was racist.

I’m with Sheldon on this one. Funny how the men don’t have to wear it. It’s oppressive.

Boris is undoubtedly racist - he has a long history of making racist comments, and he should be ashamed of himself. Sadly, though, I think his comments about the burqa/niqab also reflect the views of many people in the UK.

I will admit that, personally, I don't like seeing women wearing a burqa or niqab. It looks very restrictive for them, and I find it difficult to relate to the person behind the veil. I accept entirely that this is partly due to my own assumptions/limitations. I am absolutely horrified by the idea of a woman being forced to wear something like that against her will. At the same time, I accept that some women actively choose to cover their faces and I respect the right of women to wear what they want. I don't really think it's the state's place to dictate this.

I can see strong arguments for banning the burqa/niqab and I can see strong arguments against a ban. What I cannot see is how it is remotely acceptable for a senior politician to make openly islamophobic statements intended to ridicule, belittle or besmirch women who choose to (or indeed who are forced to) cover their faces. Boris is a national disgrace, he disgusts me.

Apologies for the 'good women' ending. It was genuinely meant to be a lighthearted sign off in trepidation of the strong comments this might and indeed has unleashed. OK I'm left in no doubt but thanks for your directness all ....

Don't like Johnson full stop.

He"s a boorish, undisciplined oaf who quite frankly repulsed me. Wtf anyone sees in him is beyond me and as for finding him amusing words fail me.

I agree with Boris. I find the clothing sinister.

Very well put, French2019.

I’m with Sheldon too.

Boris is a complete tool. Our elected representatives should be better versions of ourselves; the edited, measured, considered selves not self-serving, bombastic and morally flexible. Boris’s shameless pursuit of his political ambitions have shown him to be all of the latter.

What French said. Boris is an oaf. Burkas are an unpleasant item of clothing

I don't think it's an acceptable thing to mock and make fun of. I've no problem with people who talk about the inequality. Boris is in a high profile public position, and these are times when Islamaphobia is a problem in sections of society. It's not a joke.

I agree about the contrast in dress with the man wearing t-shirt and jeans

Our elected representatives should be better versions of ourselves

Exactly. This all about Johnson. Get everyone talking about him - and it's working.

He’s not giving us his nuanced insight into the politics of female/ religious dress choice is he though.
He’s making fun of Muslim women. And he knows what will happen.
He can fuck right off.

I can’t stand him but he is right. He has phrased it in a crass way, and as he seems to Court attention, was probably done to put him in the spotlight again. How far have we come in our quest for women to be treated equally and yet we have what seems like a growing number of women covering themselves in shrouds while the men in their families walk free and easy. Women who wear this garb, whether they see it as their choice or not, are doing it to appease men in some way. They are being imprisoned, cut off from society.

And I hate it. It has no place in a liberal society. I would like it to be banned, or to force the men in that religion to shroud themselves in the same way. But that view is contradictory to a liberal society, live and let live etc. But I would still like it banned. It should never be normalised.

BJ is awful, and his comments are normalising Islamophobia. Women should be able to wear whatever they want to wear.

Johnson is a total cunt and this nonsense is designed to curry favour with racists and other shits in the GBP. It wasn't a gaffe or clumsy. It was deliberate to stir islamaphobia for his own ends.

Yes but we are talking about him in negative terms. I think/hope we are moving beyond columns inches being positive regardless of content in politics. If Cameron was Blair’s natural heir, Boris is Farrages - quite the accolade....

Boris Johnson only cares about himself. He is the worst example of public school and Oxbridge sense of entitlement.

I was surprised at my reaction at seeing women dressed like this. I have very little experience of seeing women in Berkas in my community day to day. On a recent weekend away in Manchester I saw a few women out shopping pushing prams etc. Of course the discussion on oppression goes on. But I didn't find their presence sinister. I just wonder how we work through this in a supportive way rather than ridiculing their clothing which appears to be Boris' approach.

Boris is an idiot. He shows himself up with alarming frequency, but I did wonder if he is now channelling Trump in an effort to get the top job. Why the Conservatives don't just boot him out is a mystery to me.

It is a ridiculous item of clothing that is designed to isolate women. I agree with Boris.