Can someone explain to me why Boris Johnson is referred to as ‘Boris’ and Sadiq Khan is referred to as ‘Khan’?

[652needtogetup]

I’ve noticed not only on here but on social media too. I find it interesting that Boris Johnson is pretty much always called by his first name but Sadiq Khan is pretty much always called by his surname and actually ditto Keir Starmer.

Im a Londoner and I only ever hear him called Sadiq Khan. And Boris Johnson was Boris Johnson in his mayor days.

Tory press. They hate Sadiq Khan- so to refer to him by his surname is:
A) Disrespectful
B) De-personalising
C) Reminds us of his racial background and his religion

They want us to love Alexander Boris DePfeffel Johnson- despite them knowing what a useless shit he is. So referring to him as Boris is:
A) Emphasising his eccentricity- they love that aspect, they think it is very English.
B) Pally- it's not his given name but one he chose and insisted on as a child.
C) A first name/nickname is always less formal and more personal to use and connotes a closer relationship than a full name.

Because people are fucking idiots.

We call him Sadiq in this house 🌹

How does Sadiq not remind us of his racial background?

Most politicians are referred to by surname. Boris is the exception.

The only other I can think of was Lettuce Liz and it was not from familiarity but because she was such a disaster.

Gordon Brown, John Major, Margaret/MrsThatcher, Tony Blair, Jim Callaghan, Harold Wilson, Ted Heath, Teresa May, David Cameron- all referred to by their full name or title.

Rishi Sunak is referred to on occasion as Rishi by the Press to emphasise his lack of stature and presence, it is almost schoolboyish.

I call him Sadiq. Kahn is too common a name.

It's an interesting discussion about how we refer to politicians. I recall an old colleague saying that when Labour came to power in 1997, they were speaking to their Secretary of State when he mentioned that he'd have to 'discuss that with Gordon and Tony'.

The civil servants thought these were 2 SPADS they hadn't met yet as previously the Minister would always have said 'I'll discuss that with the PM and the Chancellor to the Exchequer'. There was definitely more informality with that Labour Government when compared to the previous one.

Am I imagining it, I was very young at the time, but was Margaret Thatcher referred to as Mrs Thatcher? That feels quite unusual too.

Also maybe imaging this but Rishi Sunak was referred to as ‘Rishi’ when he was more popular in the press and now it’s Sunak.

But often referred to as Maggie.
"Maggie, Maggie, Maggie. Out, out, out!"

When I was a teenager - well before Boris - we used Boris and Doris as slightly derogatory names for the people we met out who we didn’t fancy. It was specific to my friend group based on a specific person with the name, but I’ve always just thought of him as a Boris. Never thought it was cute haha

Those were the days 😉

I think people use whichever is easier to say/pronounce.

I get that but in what way is Sadiq easier than Khan and ditto Boris and Johnson. Both very easy names to pronounce.

Because it winds up the lefties?

But what about the other Tory MPs that are referred to by their surnames? As I said before seemingly when he was more popular in the press Rishi Sunak was ‘Rishi’ and now he’s ‘Sunak’.

Although on DM website he's back to 'Rishi' today. Keir Starmer is just 'Starmer' (gloating of course).

Don't let it get you down OP. Like I said it winds up the other side and Johnson is a common surname, so Boris it was. I don't know anyone in real life that calls him Johnson and I work with a lot of left wingers and they called him Boris.

Keir Starmer is talked about as Starmer or Keir Starmer but never Keir.

Most politicians are called by their surname: Blair and Brown, the Thatcher years, the Major government (the John government would have sounded weird).

Then there's those that are called by both names (Angela Rayner, liz Truss, Andy Burnham). It's partly that they need that extra identifier and aren't as popularly known.

I think Rishi gets called rishi as its such an identifiable name. But equally referred to as Sunak.

I don't live in London so only know the mayor as Sadiq Khan and "Khan" is too common a name to identify him. As I live in Manchester I'd immediately think of the mayor if you said "Burnham".

Its infantalising Boris. Because he's such a bumbling idiot.

Everyone I know calls Sadiq Khan by his first name and Keir Starmer by both names

Does the charismatic Bojo lives rent free in your head? If you think Sadiq Khan is doing a good job you are part of the problem here. Teens are killing teens on the streets of London. Kids that are being filled with hate and division. My friend got mugged yesterday and another one last week. If he is called Khan he is lucky. This DID not happened when Boris was the major.

I think it depends on whether like the politician or not (sometimes)
So Boris is Boris by people that like him but Johnson by those that don't .
Same with Sadiq (although the people that like him are the opposite to those that like Boris!)
Rishi get's Rishi more than Sunak - I think because he neither has fans or enemies so less of an issue
Kier gets both too ime
It also depends on how unique the name is and Boris, Sadiq, Kier and Rishi are unique in current British politics as names whereas something more common would need the surname to distinguish the person
There is only one Boris in British politics and everyone knows people mean him, where Nick or David or Michael for example could be many people

Yes it has: Maggie