To think Boris Johnson should be be thrown out of Tory party?

[crunchymint]

He is clearly racist. He should be thrown out of the Conservative party.

This was pure racism,

No it wasn't here is the quote

If you tell me that the burka is oppressive, then I am with you. If you say that it is weird and bullying to expect women to cover their faces, then I totally agree – and I would add that I can find no scriptural authority for the practice in the Koran. I would go further and say that it is absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes; and I thoroughly dislike any attempt by any – invariably male – government to encourage such demonstrations of “modesty”, notably the extraordinary exhortations of President Ramzan Kadyrov of Chechnya, who has told the men of his country to splat their women with paintballs if they fail to cover their heads.

He is an idiot, and off all the things to have a go at Boris over this is getting overblown.

And whats more worrying is that a large part of the electorate agree

How is it racism? He was not denigrating any race

This keeps being asked but never really answered ... I wonder if it ever will be?

@Cuppaorwine

While his words may not have technically been racist, this is about ridiculing a particular stereotype and targeting Muslims. It’s a creep towards making it acceptable to take the piss out of another culture/religion/race.

Personally I find the burqa and other head/face coverings a visual representation of suppression. What I wouldn’t do is ridicule it - that’s pretty disrespectful and takes you down to the lowest common denominator.

He's a clever erudite man. He threw in needless dog whistle language in trying to make a point about public participation.

Also his article was pointless. He wasn’t actually suggesting it should be banned. He thinks it’s silly, took the piss, then said we’ll actually let’s not ban it. He then gives people the confidence to think it’s ok to hound Muslim women because they look “ridiculous”. All a cover for racist acts.

So what was the point of his article but to mock and point fun at a specific religion, even though he’s correct to note it isn’t a religious dress, it’s cultural....

He could have done it differently if he genuinely cared - but he didn’t.

They'll need to clear a lot more than Boris out if this is the level for chucking out. Fuss about very little- excuse to get rid of him. The article itself is quite intelligent.

The article itself is quite intelligent

In what sense....

His motives are not irrelevant. Johnson was using inflammatory language at time when religious tensions are already high. This was not about feminism it was political point scoring
Absolutely, Johnson resigned his post then silence. Then he resurfaces with the 'burka' comments. Suddenly he is all over the news. On Twitter he is getting massive amounts of approval from UKIP MEPs, UKIP supporters, and Tommy Robinson fans, as well as a fair proportion of right-wing Tories - it's clear who the supporters are because they have their affiliations listed as part of their Twitter handles. It's not just support for his comments but a number of posts talking about the Rees-Mogg dream team for the next leader of the party. It's a leadership bid and links to the way in which factions within the Conservative Party are trying to move it towards the right. It's the resurgence of English Nationalism, and it wouldn't surprise me if a number of the homeless UKIP MEPs sought to find a home in the Conservative Party. And Johnson is launching the next stage of is career by denigrating Muslim women - if he thinks that they are victims of oppression, then isn't ridiculing then essentially bullying female victims?

Beliveitornot

It is perfectly acceptable to take the piss out of any religion/custom. It’s not acceptable to go up to someone in the street and do so but Islam is not off limits to humour, criticism or examination.

Dave Allen, life of Bryan etc all piss takes on religion.

As I said I can’t stand Boris but he has a right to say what he did and your its not technically racist but. It wasn’t racist. It was rude insulting and crass from a politician but he often is.

Oh his article was definatly not pointless!

It was the start of his campaign and he’s got just the response he wanted.

He has racist intentions in my view. It’s about stirring up negative commentary towards a particular group of people, and Muslim women are an easy target.

And no, it isn’t perfectly acceptable to take the piss out of religious or cultural customs. It is fucking rude!!!

Spot on there Dottie

And with labour moving to the extreme left and the Tories extreme right we are in big big trouble in this country

Taking the piss is a world away from genuine criticism and challenge. Saying someone looks like a bank robber or letterbox is rude.

Public servants are not supposed to be rude and insulting to those they are paid to represent. At least you see the problem now.

It may be fucking rude but taking the piss out of religions and customs, examining them critisising them analysing them Is an essential part of a democracy.

Or do you support the terrorists in France who massscred the satirical magazine writers?

Cuppa it doesn’t matter whether it is a leadership bid or what the “extreme” left do. It is about being accountable for offensive language whilst in public office.

I agree he was rude and crass but he wasn’t racist which was your original point.

ghosto are you addressing me there? At least I see the problem??? Again what are you on about

He should have been thrown out way before for many oher reasons but not for this, no.

Dottie is right as always and underlines what Boris is, a narcissistic classic bully attempting to obscure his vile behaviour under the guise of "who me? What?". Rees Mogg aside, where is Michael Gove? Machinating out of sight no doubt, tucked up with Lady Macbeth.

You think it was offensive? I think it was rude but that doesn’t mean he has to apologise because either you or I were offended. It doesn’t work like that.

The problem being that he was”insulting and crass”

You can analyse things without the above.

tucked up with Lady Macbeth

Bloody brilliantly

Or do you support the terrorists in France who massscred the satirical magazine writers?

how have you made that leap? Don’t be ridiculous. Have you ever heard the phrase two wrongs don’t make a right 🙄

Freedom of speech doesn’t mean freedom to take the piss. Taking the piss and insulting is a world away from intelligent critique. If you want to make changes, positive changes, you get there by being respectful and polite. Launching in with insults isn’t going to do anything to tackle the misogyny of the burqa.

When was the last time you heard a comedian take the mick out of a particular religion? I’ve not heard any recently - and there’s a reason for it.

I have said repeatedly he was rude and crass but he has the right to say it. He wasn’t racist.

Over and over again throughout the thread.

He should have resigned over Nasaneen but he isn’t an honourable man.

Beliveitornot

Sorry are you actually joking? You havnt heard a comedian taking the piss out of religion?

You seriously need to go to more comedy shows or the Fringe.

Freedom of speech most definatly means freedom to take the piss.

Serious question do you living in Britain?