Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I like Boris

282 replies

choppysea · 07/05/2021 22:58

Ok, so I am an expert re politics but I don't know why everyone is hating Boris. No one has had to deal with the issues he has re Brexit / Global pandemic and he has pretty much pulled both out of the bag. Look at us compared to Europe. How many lives have been lost due to their childish sniping. He has also had Covid. i am just baffled why everyone is hating on him, please explain???? So am I being unreasonable liking boris as an actual human being that makes mistakes but get shit done?

OP posts:
Puttingouthefirewithgasoline · 08/05/2021 09:46

I don't think arrogance stopped him attending meetings, they are full throttle brexit and whilst yes he should have gone, I'm also sure medical pandemics are not his area of expertise

Therefore the medics who are in charge should have been able to "impress" upon him that it was an emergency and he did need to take notice.
If they tried and he still didn't listen, fine.

Over all he just seems more human? Infallible? Doesn't present himself as this impenetrable perfect messiah figure who can do no wrong?

I'm sure a new Labour leader, someone totally fresh and humble, willing to own up to labour's massive mistakes would help.
Also many people will be grateful that he finally took hold of brexit, not that wishy washy scared stance we had from may and others.
I'm not a fan but I don't know him?
I'd like to see what he can achieve once covid has died down.

Thewinterofdiscontent · 08/05/2021 09:47

He is responsible for so many deaths. And that’s. It said with hindsight. Italy were begging us to do something and lockdown, they told us what was coming and he ignored them.

And what, you stopped going out and wore a mask in February did you? Did you heck. No way would the country have supported an earlier lockdown. As it is we’ve have a very light touch with no curfews, minimal policing, masks by consent etc.
Italy was far from getting it right so I wouldn’t be taking advice from them.

IamnotSethRogan · 08/05/2021 09:51

I'd like to see what he can achieve once covid has died down.

I'm absolutely terrified of what he'll put his mind to after Covid

Puttingouthefirewithgasoline · 08/05/2021 09:51
  • many thought corybn was a thug too, the people he shared and gave a platform too, his avoidance, omissions... Jewish leaders begging us not to vote for him in the GE, even Johnny rotten the famous anti establishment figure screaming "fuck off Jeremy corybn" on stage..
Puttingouthefirewithgasoline · 08/05/2021 09:52

Terrified?

Strugglingtodomybest · 08/05/2021 09:57

He makes my skin crawl, plus he's a self-serving liar.

Basically, what everyone else who dislikes him has said. I can't be bothered to type it all out!

CupoTeap · 08/05/2021 10:01

Over 30 countries have a higher case death rate from a quick google.

YouJustFoldItIn · 08/05/2021 10:09

We have one of the highest Covid death rates in the world.

Within Europe, we are seventh on the table of excess deaths for the last year since Covid started. That is the only true measure of our covid deaths in comparison to others and we are nowhere near the worst Europe, let alone the world.

Many other countries don't even have the means, the ability or the desire to collate accurate figures, so what's the point of comparing? At least if you must compare, then compare with a truly comparable country.

That means comparing the way they classify a covid death, comparing population size, population density, economy, demographic similarities and geographical position in the world in relation to other countries, looking at how many people usually pass through in an average year.

So not New Zealand, in other words.

Also only bother comparing with countries that have the same civil liberties and data protection rights as us. I know of someone living in Arab gulf state where their national track and trace system is a legal requirement. People have to keep the app open and running at all times and the police stop cars to do spot checks. No entry to shops or public buildings without showing it. It is updated according to your health and quarantine status and if you've recently been in contact with someone who has subsequently tested positive it changes colour. People in quarantine/isolation are closely monitored by the authorities.

This man recently had returned from abroad, had provided a negative covid test but still needed to home quarantine. He lives in an apartment with no garden or balcony so he went out for a walk (alone in a quiet area) at 1am, for some fresh air and exercise. An hour later the police were at his door.

'Have you left your apartment this evening sir?'

'No, of course not. I am in quarantine.'

We are going ask you again Sir, and we'd like to think carefully before answering. Have you left your apartment this evening?'

Ok, I admit did go out for a half hour walk - but it was 1am and I was alone, didn't see a soul. I just really needed to stretch my legs or I'd go mad.'

'You are under arrest sir.' Three days in prison.

If this is how you are prepared to live, THEN by all means criticise the UK for not having enough of a grip on Covid.

If you aren't going to use these parameters than any kind of comparison is utterly pointless.

P.S Brexit is going to shit already. No it isn't.

Rosebel · 08/05/2021 10:11

It's easy to say he should have done things differently but no one knew how awful this pandemic was going to be.
It's not Boris's fault so many people died. Blame the people who chose to mix in large groups and just ignored lockdown rules.
People criticised him whatever he did. People said lockdown but when he did everyone complained about the economy and children's education suffering. Then the schools reopened and everyone said it wasn't safe. So impossible for him to get it right.
I don't especially like Boris but I think he's done alright and certainly better than if Labour has been in power.

Clavinova · 08/05/2021 10:13

PoppyFleur
Boris missed essential COBRA meetings at the start of the pandemic because of a holiday in Mustique

I doubt it - he flew to Mustique for Christmas 2019 - the first COBRA meeting took place towards the end of January 2020.

He then had to strong arm his ex wife (who was recovering from cancer and had endured 3 operations to remove tumours) into a divorce

Boris Johnson and his ex-wife announced their intention to divorce early September 2018. She obtained a decree nisi by February 2019 and was diagnosed with cancer in May 2019 - given the "all-clear" in August 2019.

Squidthing
I never got over the fact he was going to pay someone to beat up a journalist.

He wasn't. He was asked by his friend to find out the address of the journalist - as far as I am aware he didn't find out the address or pass it on if he did.

HappydaysArehere · 08/05/2021 10:15

Johnson does well in the polls as there is little opposition. That’s about it. He enjoys the success of the roll out which has been sorted out by others as I can’t imagine him sorting anything out as he hates detail we are told.

HerLadySheep · 08/05/2021 10:15

He's a liar, a cheat and a grifter! Entirely out for himself, he's a despicable human being and a National embarrassment. He is our Trump, what did you think of him?

MarshaBradyo · 08/05/2021 10:15

@YouJustFoldItIn

We have one of the highest Covid death rates in the world.

Within Europe, we are seventh on the table of excess deaths for the last year since Covid started. That is the only true measure of our covid deaths in comparison to others and we are nowhere near the worst Europe, let alone the world.

Many other countries don't even have the means, the ability or the desire to collate accurate figures, so what's the point of comparing? At least if you must compare, then compare with a truly comparable country.

That means comparing the way they classify a covid death, comparing population size, population density, economy, demographic similarities and geographical position in the world in relation to other countries, looking at how many people usually pass through in an average year.

So not New Zealand, in other words.

Also only bother comparing with countries that have the same civil liberties and data protection rights as us. I know of someone living in Arab gulf state where their national track and trace system is a legal requirement. People have to keep the app open and running at all times and the police stop cars to do spot checks. No entry to shops or public buildings without showing it. It is updated according to your health and quarantine status and if you've recently been in contact with someone who has subsequently tested positive it changes colour. People in quarantine/isolation are closely monitored by the authorities.

This man recently had returned from abroad, had provided a negative covid test but still needed to home quarantine. He lives in an apartment with no garden or balcony so he went out for a walk (alone in a quiet area) at 1am, for some fresh air and exercise. An hour later the police were at his door.

'Have you left your apartment this evening sir?'

'No, of course not. I am in quarantine.'

We are going ask you again Sir, and we'd like to think carefully before answering. Have you left your apartment this evening?'

Ok, I admit did go out for a half hour walk - but it was 1am and I was alone, didn't see a soul. I just really needed to stretch my legs or I'd go mad.'

'You are under arrest sir.' Three days in prison.

If this is how you are prepared to live, THEN by all means criticise the UK for not having enough of a grip on Covid.

If you aren't going to use these parameters than any kind of comparison is utterly pointless.

P.S Brexit is going to shit already. No it isn't.

Good post. Preferable to the knee jerk lack of insight NZ posts.
BrownJenkins · 08/05/2021 10:23

I like Boris

Clavinova · 08/05/2021 10:26

ReneetheRobin
Does his lying matter? Well yes because it erodes trust and democracy and yet thousands of voters put their trust in Boris yesterday. Incomprehensible in my view!

Would you vote for Joe Biden?

CNN 2 May 2021
What it's been like fact-checking Joe Biden through 100 days.

By CNN's rough count, Biden has made 29 total false claims in his first 100 days, about one every three-and-a-half days on average.

edition.cnn.com/2021/05/02/politics/fact-check-biden-100-days/index.html

hamstersarse · 08/05/2021 10:28

I don't mind criticising people for mistakes but the trouble is these days is that people will distort stories to fit with their own agendas. There are so many on this thread about Johnson - wallpaper, killing people deliberately, the ex-wife cancer situation, the Cobra meetings, the (non) racist comment about pillar boxes etc.

If you are going to attack someone, at least have some integrity about it. Especially when you are actually attempting to criticise someone else's integrity.

tentosix · 08/05/2021 10:37

I think in person he comes across as genuine and likeable. Loved him as London Mayor, less so as PM but in person I think he is a lot of fun.

Figgygal · 08/05/2021 10:39

He is an Empty immoral incompetent charlatan
He is part of the elite not Boris everyone’s mate
I just don’t understand it

Figgygal · 08/05/2021 10:43

[quote Clavinova]ReneetheRobin
Does his lying matter? Well yes because it erodes trust and democracy and yet thousands of voters put their trust in Boris yesterday. Incomprehensible in my view!

Would you vote for Joe Biden?

CNN 2 May 2021
What it's been like fact-checking Joe Biden through 100 days.

By CNN's rough count, Biden has made 29 total false claims in his first 100 days, about one every three-and-a-half days on average.

edition.cnn.com/2021/05/02/politics/fact-check-biden-100-days/index.html[/quote]
Though it wasn’t aimed at me
Yes I’d have voted for Joe Biden
Though I’m disappointed by the 29 false claims referenced and would love to know what they were
Trump made 200+ false claims in same period of his presidency - he was a prolific liar and so yes Biden was still a preferable choice

Rosebel · 08/05/2021 10:44

A lot of criticism about his private life on here. What has that got to do with how he runs the country?

hamstersarse · 08/05/2021 10:46

@Rosebel

A lot of criticism about his private life on here. What has that got to do with how he runs the country?
It's all these perfect specimens of human beings who have never transgressed in their whole lives sitting there judging others for the heinous crime of divorce and adultery.
fortunacookie · 08/05/2021 10:48

I like him too and I feel sorry for the guy to be honest

ChaToilLeam · 08/05/2021 10:49

He is vile. The only reason he is in the position he currently enjoys is the lack of any effective opposition. The man has no morals and is unfit for office.

Your head must zip up the back, OP.

ItscoldinAlaska · 08/05/2021 11:01

If you have to rely on 'But what about x,y,z, they are worse' and 'Boris is a liar but so is this person' arguments, it makes me question why you need to use deflection as a persuasive technique?

I don't know who I support at the moment, I don't have a political 'home'. But Johnson supporters make me very wary. It seems like a cult of personality. Starmer supporters are silent. Caroline Lucas supporters seem genuine but the current electoral system is so useless (FPTP) that it's a wasted vote and I don't like their identity politics/questionable trans self ID stance.

You would convince me to take your supportive argument of Johnson seriously, if you were confident that you are backing the right guy because fundamentally you believe he is truthful, competent, genuine, trustworthy and the best man for the country and the job, but the best that supporters can muster is whataboutery or the congnitively impaired 'he is a legend'.

I don't care if you like him OP. It's not about liking him. It is about asking yourself Has he done a lot for this country? Are we in better shape because of his leadership? Does he have the gravity, intelligence and decision making ability needed to guide us through Post covid and post Brexit UK? Is he the PM of England or the UK even? I am not sure at all, but let's see.

ItscoldinAlaska · 08/05/2021 11:02

*cognitively (tripped up there Grin)