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Original poster

To think that a personality cult has developed around Boris Johnson?

626 replies

Applejaxx · 17/04/2020 14:38

I know this sounds completley ridiculous but have a quick look around social media and in particular Twitter, and you will see a disturbing number of people with lots of union flags in their twitter handle name who effectively think that the sun shines out of his arse, that he can do no wrong and that any justifiable criticism of his or his governments handling of the current crisis is part of a massive 'leftie' conspiracy against him.

They are terrified of 'lefties's and 'liberals' and think all of the media are out to get Boris and his government, it is just bat shit. Its not just Twitter either, I had to unfriend someone on Facebook after they told me that I should 'show Boris some fucking respect' a few weeks ago. This was after I'd shared something criticising his handling of the pandemic. Thankfully it was somone I don't really know that well and never have to see again, but still!

If im honest it all a bit disturbing. Its reminscent of a personality cult IMO, 'how dare you disrespect our glorious leader'.

OP posts:
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Alsohuman · 18/04/2020 14:30

He’ll be very old by the next election with every day being like a week at the moment! I’m far from a Tory too but I suspect the demographic of the party might look very different by the time the C19 casualties are counted.

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 18/04/2020 14:32

I dont do Facebook or Twitter so have no idea, but it doesnt happen here. Just the metion of hos name has all the mouth frothers and abuse givers whipped into a frenzy

Mittens030869 · 18/04/2020 14:34

You may well be right, @Alsohuman I'm reminded of Harold a Wilson saying that at week is a long time in politics.' There's a long way to go. But the Tories will know that they'll need a strong leader going into the next election, someone able to handle Keir Starmar's cross examination at PM's Questions. Johnson will struggle with that.

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 18/04/2020 14:34

Perhaps if people didnt put personal praise or abuse on line we would all be better off. This is a person, not the devil or a god, just a person

Tigger001 · 18/04/2020 14:44

There has been alot of investment from wealthy people and years of perfectioning the act for Boris Johnson to be thought of as the "personality" he is.

I dont think he will be the face of the tories come the next election.

I did surprise me how many people seem to be blind to the truth of his lies and fiercely defend some terrible decisions.

Mittens030869 · 18/04/2020 14:52

@Tigger001 I think you may well be right. I think a lot of PMs forget that they're not Presidents with their own mandates to govern. They're the current leader of the governing party. And they need the support of that party in order to function as PM.

StoneofDestiny · 18/04/2020 14:59

Don’t blame Sadiq Khan for Johnsons mistakes! That should be another thread entirely if you think it warrants it.

Johnson is not up to the job - he can’t rise above wisecracks, jokes and buffoonery or meet the real challenge of leadership of the UK.

Clavinova · 18/04/2020 15:21

The Jeremy Hunt who ignored and buried the findings of Exercise Cygnus Mittens?

I still don't understand the criticism here tbh.
I found the brief for Exercise Cygnus on an NHS website -

The exercise was set 7 weeks into a severe pandemic and the brief was to plan a response to an 'overwhelmed service with reduced staff availability' - i.e. disaster has already struck, how would you ration supplies, what would you do with an overflowing morgue..?

"Our preparations for pandemic influenza were exercised in October 2016 with NHS England participating in Exercise Cygnus.The exercise was set seven weeks into a severe pandemic outbreak and challenged the NHS to review its response to an overwhelmed service with reduced staff availability."^ ...

"We are also continuing the challenging work around the management of surge and escalation decision making processes."

Alsohuman · 18/04/2020 15:35

Let’s be honest @Clavinova, you never understand any criticism of the Tory government. Cygnus was to test our preparedness for a pandemic, it proved we were totally unprepared and Hunt proceeded to do nothing, zilch, zero. Understand better now?

koshkatt · 18/04/2020 15:36

Koshkat ahh 'the left' once again, another much parroted phrase from you lot. Maybe try and think for yourself instead of just reading from the Tory/right wing nutter script? You are all like stuck records, 'Corbyn, momentum, the left, lefties Labour' the same nonsense over and over again

I use the term 'the left' because, as I have already stated, I consider myself to be on 'the left' and have always voted Labour. Which is on 'the left' of the political spectrum. One could also use the term 'left wing' in the same way that you use the term 'right wing'. Understand now?

Hope that helps you a little bit Apple because you are starting to froth a bit as well as being incredibly aggressive and insulting to others.

derxa · 18/04/2020 15:58

Oh dear, have I hit a raw nerve derxa and koshkat? Its true and most intelligent people know it. Oh goodness I nearly missed this gem Grin
To be honest I would love to be in Spain, eating egg and chips at a cafe and reading The Sun right now. It would be better than the current misery and drudgery. Pass the salt!

koshkatt · 18/04/2020 16:00

derxa Grin

StayinginSummer · 18/04/2020 16:06

I agree.

It is weird though, he is charismatic, and I can see why and how he’s got his broad appeal. I can also see why women go for him.

Which makes me a bit disappointed even in myself. As I watch him having to remind myself that he has not done a single thing that I admire, and even his older children say he is selfish... it’s really hard to square with the affable image. It bloody works!

user1471565182 · 18/04/2020 16:09

NoMorePolitics you seem to spend your time on here telling people they musnt talk about BJ. Why is that?

user1471565182 · 18/04/2020 16:16

You think tories will choose an Asian as leader? despite the fact they cant hold back from accusing Sadiq Khan of being a terrorist and their party is dripping in islamophobia?

Peregrina · 18/04/2020 16:16

While Clavinova is drooling about how wonderful Johnson is, I am quite sure that local to me are perfectly respectable Tories who are horrified that the best their party could put up was a liar and a serial adulterer. They have better standards, and will be relieved when he's gone.

koshkatt · 18/04/2020 16:17

Stayingin that affable persona is very engaging and (seemingly) likeable to many people and I think that he is seen as a personality rather than a politician. Many of our politicians are grey men in grey suits so he does stand out for this reason.

koshkatt · 18/04/2020 16:19

You think tories will choose an Asian as leader? despite the fact they cant hold back from accusing Sadiq Khan of being a terrorist and their party is dripping in islamophobia?

You really need to stop with this user as it makes you look unhinged. There are racism issues in both of our major parties - you have a very one sided view of things don't you think?

CendrillonSings · 18/04/2020 16:22

Peregrina

I am quite sure that local to me are perfectly respectable Tories who are horrified that the best their party could put up was a liar and a serial adulterer. They have better standards, and will be relieved when he's gone.

Yeah, I’m sure they’re really unhappy about the way he buried Corbyn in an epic landslide! Grin

You really don’t know anything about Tories. We like winning - unlike that thing Labour does and whatever the hell the minibus party thinks it’s doing...

Alsohuman · 18/04/2020 16:26

You think tories will choose an Asian as leader?

If you mean Sunak, who’s as British as I am, why not? There are plenty of MPs from Asian backgrounds, they’re attracting the blue vote. The demographic of the Tory party will be very different in a couple of years - old men are very susceptible to this virus.

FortunesFavour · 18/04/2020 16:35

@Applejaxx - you’re attempts to divert from those rightly calling out your blatant snobbery and condescension on the previous page do not work.

You haven’t “hit a raw nerve”. You been rightly called out for the bigoted attitudes that you have plainly written on this thread.

And you have the audacity to call others stupid! Priceless.

FortunesFavour · 18/04/2020 16:37

your

Peregrina · 18/04/2020 16:37

Oh I know about Tories and wanting to win, which is why they aren't saying anything out loud now, but once Johnson gets the boot, they will be quick to tell us how they never voted for him.

MarshaBradyo · 18/04/2020 16:39

I’d vote for Sunak he’s pretty good so far

I also like Starmer but he’s not done loads yet (hard to in circs)

But on Boris no I don’t think so. He’s been a bit out of sight here, don’t really think about him.

MarshaBradyo · 18/04/2020 16:40

As for a Cons appointing him why not? He’s had a high profile post and they had May - although she had a hard ride.

I see no reason why they wouldn’t.