To not believe Boris Johnson at all and think he's a ringer

[Lanark2]

I don't feel that Boris J is at all convincing in his new anti Europe stance. I think he's a ringer that will go down in the last round/ make the anti campaign seem weak to help DC win?

But the difference is that BJ actually attempts to be a buffoon as he thinks he will be forgiven anything by the public and can act as he likes. The 'rules' do not apply to him, he is above such piffling considerations.

EM was seen as buffoonish and true he did appear clumsy and unsophisticated at times. But at least he gave a shit and did his best. And the media had it in for him and so positively jumped on that opportunity to publish the bacon sandwich photo. You would have hoped that the public could see past their manipulations [and realise that how a man ate a sandwich did not reflect in any way his leadership capabilities but hey ho].

Isn't the buffoon thing a huge act? Disguises the intellect and ambition?

There is no way he'd do DC a favour.

He is massively ambitious (and I believe ruthless) and I think he believes winning the referendum is a way he can become PM.

I think he's wrong and he's miscalculated badly.

The thing about Boris is that he comes across as a slightly scruffy, opinionated but in some way charming buffoon.

The reality is he is a ruthless, dangerous person with some alarming political beliefs. He knows exactly what he is doing.

Complete clown. All about Boris and nothing to do with the national interest. Same platform as George Galloway and Nigel Farage - tells you all you need to know!

"‘Look, I’m actually rather pro-European, actually. I certainly want a European community where one can go and scoff croissants, drink delicious coffee, learn foreign languages and generally make love to foreign women.’"

dailyFail

that was a quote by Bojo

Apparently all his bumbling speeches, quirky tics and seemingly man of the people, off-the-cuff sound bites a la "look, I'm actually rather fond of croissants" are meticulously planned and rehearsed.

He has played a blinder making people think he's a harmless, likeable clown.

I can't stand Boris and his 'isn't my bumbling nature endearing' routine. In reality, I imagine he's a ruthless character.

The thought of him being all over the news until the referendum in June is highly irritating!

If you listen carefully to what BJ said and wrote later in the newspaper article you will see quite clearly he wants a 'no' vote in order to be able to force the EU to negotiate.

In my view, he has a 'two referendum strategy' in mind in which he will be the prime Minister negotiating before a second referendum - and hence uniting the Tory party behind a new relationship with the EU that all members of UKIP and the Tory party can live with. That will give him an unassailable majority in England.

Its clear he doesn't want a clean break with the EU but a properly negotiated relationship.

Its important to remember he is an Atlanticist at heart. he has an American as well as a British passport, having being born in the USA and has grandfather who was Turkish. An interesting PM in renegotiating the 'special relationship' too with either a Bernie Sanders of Donald Trump President. His Turkish heritage could also be key in the Middle East Syria conflict.

I can't get past the fact Boris has brushed his hair.
I like Boris, the world is a more colourful place with people like him - a few more people will now wake up and realise there I a referendum coming.

I agree, they're all in it together as per.

Surely many politicians, from Boris and DC to various members of the European parliament, are ambitious, plan and rehearse their speeches and choose an image to present to the public. Boris is simply being a politician. The question is, which politicians do we want to make our laws and decisions? We can vote out a UK government we don't like but have little say in Europe.

I like Boris - I just do. And I would, given half the chance - I definitely would. But I am very disappointed in him over this carve up. I don't for one moment think he believes what he's backing. I really think it's all a big game of chess and I feel sure he's cooked it up with DC. If that is the case I'm afraid he's going on the ShitList because I despise it when politicians make the mistake of treating the electorate as fools. Boris is very very clever, that is true, and I hope he hasn't made the mistake of thinking he's the cleverest person in the room.

He's Made it more interesting though hasn't it?

Yes the bafoon act covers up his intelligence.

I remember years back noting his body language with DC and I think he has bullied and frightened DC since school.

Sick reached my mouth at the thought of him and Trump.

I think his only choice was to declare for OUT as it has been widely understood that this is his position for a long time. If he had not broken ranks he would have looked like a hypocrite and DC and GO's poodle. This would be far more dangerous to any leadership ambitions than ending up on the wrong side of a referendum result.

I think pp is right in suggesting that DC might also secretly be hoping for an out vote and if this were to force his resignation it would save him the agonising choice of when to resign. He looks bored of the job to me and government policy is drifting and flip flopping in all areas.

We can vote out a UK government we don't like but have little say in Europe

There are European parliament elections at the same intervals as we have elections to the UK parliament.

I think Boris has had a long hard look at the general attitude to Europe within the Tory party and has concluded that his best opportunity to become leader of the Conservatives and PM is by backing the OUT campaign.

Boris never does anything that isn't ultimately advantageous for Boris.

I'm with vertigonun
I also disagree people won't be at his private life. I'm not at all a fan of DC and I can't believe I'm even typing this, but he does come across as a loving husband and father

I'm going to have to scrub myself with a wire brush now and some dettol

Surely many politicians, from Boris and DC to various members of the European parliament, are ambitious, plan and rehearse their speeches and choose an image to present to the public. Boris is simply being a politician.

Absolutely - but his particular brand of disarming, harmless buffoonery when by most accounts he is a calculating, manipulative, friendless, ruthless, possibly bigoted backstabber makes him the worst kind IMO.

I think this is his big gamble and when you think about it, it's worth it for him. If we stay on the EU then Cameron's position as Tory header is strengthened, as are hopes to succeed him of those who supported him in the campaign to stay. If we leave (oh god I hope we don't leave ), Cameron is going to have real trouble remaining as Tory leader and is unlikely to be succeeded by anyone who was on the same side as him. Given the unpopularity of the other big names who've come out against remaining in the EU, Boris in that situation would pretty much walk a leadership contest.

I thoroughly dislike BJ, but I do not think that a moment that he is anything other than a very clever man who plays the long game.

The amount of typos in my post is shameful :(

I think people will care about Boris private life but then it depends what papers back him

We are quite conservative he is known for his extramarital affairs this will bother people when it is used against him as questioning his integrity

Agee that Labour could be such a great position while the tories fall apart to push forward but we have JC leading the way so it's all pointless