Nick Robinson has just reported that David Cameron is trying to persuade Boris Johnson to run for London Mayor. It would be a massive leap for Boris to take and involve a number of risks, not least to his own Henley seat. Boris is undoubtedly the most popular Conservative in the country and he would surely be tempted to run. The rest of us would relish the spectacle of a Boris v Ken fight.I felt it would be worth taking the risk of promoting him to the Shadow Cabinet, but perhaps we now know the reason why it didn't happen. At least we can, unlike in the case of Greg Dyke, be sure that Boris is a Conservative!
So what does everyone think? Boris for Mayor?!
graphic from Theo Spark
112 comments:
Utterly fab. I'm a huge Boris fan. A red-Ken vs. Boris fight would be great.
You never know. Boris could even win it!
Boris for World President.
BTW, Exactly how many people has Boris apologized to, to date?
God, I hope so.
I'd vote for him. I think he'd be an inspired choice by the Tories.
He'd be fantastic but I think he'd lose.
I had not until now heard of a candidate who could beat Ken. Boris could. And I speak as someone who is not a Conservative. He has bags of cross-party appeal.
I'd vote for him. At least he's a personality unlike Norris, which is what is needed in the mayoral race.
Perhaps he is too divisive and does not appeal to lower class aspirational voters that we need to win.
However, its worth a shot, he's the bes candidate the Tories have.
Go Boris.
Boris would be a disaster. He always seems to be cocking something up
With his cycling credentials, Bozza is the only Tory that could give Ken a run for his money.
Trouble is Boris, being canny, knows that the Mayor role is a 'dead-end' politically. If Boris was ten years older he might think about it, but I can't see him being persuaded.
I also think Boris would find the job rather dull, to be honest. But he would make a great mayor.
Boris should be PM, not Mayor of London! But he could certainly give that cretin Livingstone a run for his money...
Zorro
What an interesting thought.
I wonder if he could really beat Ken? I suspect it is really for Ken to lose the election rather than Boris to win it. I do not think Ken has done anything to upset London voters that much.
Boris is unlikely to come forward with a policy that said he was going to scrap congestion charging. That might be seen to go against the Cameroon 'green' policies but then again Boris does really ride a bike to work.
Maybe if he promised to stop the London Olympics he would win a landslide but would DC back him on that - I think probably not?
Giving up Henley as a safe seat for the promise of a seat in the House of Lords as a compensation could work for him maybe. The HOL would suit Boris better - he always seems to be a man who would be better scrutinising legislation and campaigning on specific issues rather than being a front bencher which would leave him far too constrained.
Great idea for politics as a spectator sport, but a ludicrous idea for the future of London. He's got no experience of running anything except a minor magazine, he can't open his mouth without putting his foot in it, the press will have a field-day with his private life, and most members of the public regard him as a buffoon.
If he is the best the Tories can do then they really are up a creek.
I love Boris, but his life and manner are too remote from that of so many londoners. His selection would only reinforce the view in urban seats that the Tories are all toffs who went to Eton.
Loose cannon. Probably beat Livingstone, but the associated friendly fire doesn't bear thinking about.
Like Kinnock in '87 and Cruddas in '07, he'd win the campaign but lose the election.
bring it on!!!
God no.
BJ is a great personality but he would get bored as Mayor and that would be bad for London. I really cannot see him dealing with the minutiae of life in the GLA!
Even at his most buffhoonish, Boris is well worth a try!
Interesting thought.A "normal" Tory candidate would fight a respectable campaign and lose.Boris has the charisma to spring a surprise or alternatively provoke a calamity.It would be a very high risk stratergy but if it came off then it would be an immense coup for Cameron.
Course he should.
Firstly, London is full of students and young professionals who simply love Boris. Livingstone they do not.
Secondly, he is funny. Livingstone isn't.
Thirdly, the rules are different for London Mayor. Looks like you can be controversial and rude and get away with it. Hell, look at Livingstone! All about the personality...
Fourth, he hasn't offended Londoners.
Fifth, he's clearly a competent manager - his reign as editor of the spectator was very successful.
Sixth, there's no-one else who has a cats chance in hell of winning.
Go Boris - DO IT!!!
Fantastic idea - he'd win hands down.
It sounds like a great idea!
It might not be the most interesting job, but it would give him the ability to say what he wanted without having to be too PC - which isn't something he could do if he every wanted to be the PM!
I would even consider moving to London if he won!
From Shagger Norris to Bonking Boris.
What kind of a message is that to send to the good people of our capital city?
Ken won't be happy.
Magic our Boris!
Boris is a buffoon - pure and simple. He may have an intelligent rhetoric and some amusing anecdotes but unfortunatly there is no real depth to his convictions. A shame really because if he put his mind to it, he could be excellent.
Bozza a buffoon? Never!
He'll wipe the floor with Red Ken.
You are a donkey, Mr Bush
It’s a terrific idea!
I love Boris I dote on his every word . I `ve met him several times actually but it is the writing and the underlying Conservatism I relish.
Boris stands for a cavalier spirit , not in a frivolous way but in the sense of the Cavalier Poets who spurned ponderous earnestness seeking a rightness through the crafted nonchalance , lightly carried learning and the perfection of lyrical music. It was a political statement then and it remains so today. It undercuts the fake sanctimony of plodding earnest Brown`s persona ( in fact he is just a squalid liar). By his manner Brown seeks to close debate , Boris is plural and modest , fully understanding that most important Conservative principle that new does not mean better and that it is arrogant to imagine you can drive a living society like a car. Humour of a gentle sort is characteristic in that the ambitions of men will be judged against experience and the folly of “cleverness” revealed. In such a character you find One Nation Conservatism and Libertarianism resolved. There is no-one close to him is expressing the living spirit of the traditional Conservative faith all its contradictions and noone so instinctively against the new “NATIONAL GOVERNMENT” of Brown. I share his horror .
Islington Conservatives would be overjoyed but I cannot see Boris going to for it . It would be difficult to continue his career and he has no special interest in local politics .I personally would be happy to campaign for him day and night but could he win?
Well in many ways I would rather the Party backed a Conservative and made a heroic fight of it . It is said that immigration has been so fast that the Conservative task in London is sisyphitic but thats no reason not to try
anon =--12.32 /....Aside from a brief time as a teacher Ken Livingstone has no experience of anything at all. Oh sorry ..you were counting living at the public`s expense , spouting risible sixth form socialism from the 1970s and playing catamite up to terrorists ? It might play well in basket case London benefits wastelands and ghettos but the sight of the real Labour Party would be edifying for the rest of the country. Win or lose Boris can hurt Brown. And the less time he has spent in the Island of Dr. Moreau that is Local Government the better
PS.. IAIN DALE denied that he had ambitions for the mayorality with suspicious enthusiasm I thought....
That's silly.love him on the telly he's so funny,a buffoon.Trust him to run anything,no,never ever,ever.
Not a bad idea at all. Following Ken he would not be expected to toe Cameron's line, which would be a relief for them both. He would have his own power base & would be able to actually try some of the things he advocates.
He would also be able to say what he likes about Liverpudlians.
Colin D said...
Even at his most buffhoonish, Boris is well worth a try!
Obviously you don't live in London then fellow.
Anon 12:26/12:32/12:32/12:47/1:02
Doesn't matter how many times you say it Monsieur Troll - you're not going to convince anyone here that Boris shouldn't run. Especially if you keep posting as "anon" in the hope of giving your view added weight.
Why are Labour HQ getting so scared?
He's certainly talled than the Bionic Smurf.
Matt
Boris is a buffoon - pure and simple. He may have an intelligent rhetoric and some amusing anecdotes but unfortunatly there is no real depth to his convictions.
.There is richness and sophistication in the Conservatism of Boris far beyond the abillty of Labour droogs to understand. Levity and seriousnes are not mutually exclusive. Oscar Wilde on the subject of "Earnestness" should be your text for the evening . Go home think study and return a better person anon.
Oh yes! This would be just brilliant! Perhaps he could hang onto his Henley seat until after he wins!
Newmania said...
Your posts are getting longer by the day.What with you and Verity,(your not related are you perchance ?)you are taking over this blog.Think brevity,think do I really need to post again today,please.
Adrian Yalland said...
Oh yes! This would be just brilliant! Perhaps he could hang onto his Henley seat until after he wins!
Pleased to see you have taken my advice,brevity,brevity,brevity.
Anonymous said...
Colin D said...
Even at his most buffhoonish, Boris is well worth a try!
Obviously you don't live in London then fellow.
July 04, 2007 1:15 PM
But I did, and under the stain of red ken when he was deputy to horace from Harrow
Many people do not realise the depth, intelligence and sheer ability Boris has. A vibrant man for a vibrant city. He is someone who would inspire people and inject some fun into the city at the same time. No disrespect to the other Conservative candidates, but I hope he agrees to run.
Matt Wardman said...
He's certainly talled than the Bionic Smurf.
What are you on about ? talled ? Bionic smurf ?
Tony said...
Many people do not realise the depth, intelligence and sheer ability Boris has.
You've got that right.
I'd canvass for him. In my view he would grow into the role - and become a serious candidate for PM in a decade as a result. He is probably the only politician on either side of the House that gets treated with affection by the great bulk of the public. People would make the effort to go out and vote for him. (Unless of course he decides to have a pop at Pearly Kings and Queens! But I don't see it - he's well pearly, is Boris...)
Colin D said...
It was the "did" live in London that was the giveaway Colin.
Marquee Mark said...
I'd canvass for him. In my view he would grow into the role - and become a serious candidate for PM in a decade as a result.
God your party is desperate.
Someone remarked that Ken would have to lose an election... with almost any candidate that would be true, but I think Boris has the celebrity quality to him that gives him a real chance.
I like Boris not despite the things he says, but because he says those things and does so without malice. But what do I know, I like to hear what Prince Phillip says.
I'd prefer to see him in the Shadow Cabinet than as Mayor of London.
It was the "did" live in London that was the giveaway Colin.
July 04, 2007 1:33 PM
I ran away on three counts:
1. to escape creditors. (failed)
2. To escape the mum-in-laws wrath. (failed)
3. To be happy! (pass)
thirty more years at this rate said...
God your party is desperate.
Well, Cameron will have served two terms as PM - it will be a good time to pass on the baton....
Iain, several comments on Nick Robinson's 'Newslog' are suggesting a 'draft Boris' petition is set up online - and you are the man with the technology to do it..
Boris has not dismissed the idea out of hand..
Go on, you know you want to...
Go Boris !!! It is no guarantee that you will win, but if you don't stand no other Tory can beat Ken.
Just as long as you pledge to make foxhunting legal again in the City of Westminster...
Colin D said... 3. To be happy! (pass)
Good.
Labour Rules/anon....don't flatter yourself!
Not all of us have brains so samll they only think in soundbytes of 30 words or less.
No, bad idea.
And bad mock-up - the mayor's job brings no regalia. Maybe you're thinking of the Lord Mayor.
I've crunched the figures on the last two Mayoral elections and the truth is that Lenninspart won because the anti-vote was split. Norris and Hughes both did very well allowing Livingstone to come through the middle.
Boris would be ideal because London perhaps only needs a figurehead - it doesn't need a proto-president who thinks he is running his own state. We don't need overseas embassies, trips to Venezuela, oil dealing or any of that crap.
We don't want TFL to be run by a five-man cabal of deep red 60's lefties who are, for example, still setting traffic lights to cause maximum trouble (and as a consequence create more air pollution).
We don't want a man who buys diesel buses (when the rest of the world has shifted to clean-burning gas) and manages to set up a system that costs £750m per year to run, when in 1998 the service made a £100k surplus.
We need somebody with a very light touch who can sort out the people who want to let London move forward and fire those that are still trying to batter it in to some kind of perverse Hong Kong - an overcrowded mega city run by communists.
ps - has anybody spotted the large grey-posts being erected around the north and south circulars? Look up and you'll see cameras that reach right out over road - one for each lane.
That'll be the new main-road tolling scheme that will be enabled by the Supplemental Tolls Bill, currently going through the Lords....
morrocanroll
Boris would walk it. He's one of the few much loved politicians in the world and probably the only one who would beat KL right now.
However, I hope he doesn't accept the candidacy. Boris belongs in Parliament, Henley and in the shadow cabinet, not in Walthamstow.
Auntie Flo'
Can't wait to hear Petronella Wyatt's view, still he'll get the abortionists vote.
Boris definitely could beat Livingstone and let's face it he has the advantage (at least last time I checked) of actually being a Conservative.
Garry Bushell has been nominated for selection to stand for the English Democrats.
Boris may be super intelligent, write compelling articles and be a reasonable campaigner, possibly, but I doubt his broader appeal to the rougher areas of London. It grieves me, but he wouldn't stand a chance against that political poseur, Livingston.
With one or two exceptions, why is it simply a question of "can he win?" and "do I like him?", and not "is he the right man for the job?". Pure tribalism and personality politics. I like Boris's image as much as most of the rest of you, but is he really interested in and informed on the issues that the London mayor is supposed to deal with? I could imagine he'd be pretty good on culture, and the promotion of London around the world (though it might not be an entirely business-like, professional image that is promoted). But what about planning, transport and so on? He may be excellent on these issues too, but it might be an idea to hear what he has to say on them before pre-judging him the ideal candidate simply on the basis that he is likeable and amusing.
I don't care about the future of London, as I can't stand the place, but I wouldn't want Boris to run and lose (which I think he would, although it would be a vastly entertaining fight) or he'd run and win and end up in a dead end job that would never allow him to advance to PM.
Boris wants to be PM. Therefore, he will not take up this suggestion.
To most people Boris is a patently decent man (apart from the extra marital shagging)plus deeply intelligent and interesting .
He has a life outside of petty politics unlike that newt bothering pillock livingstone.
He also lacks the malice of the present mayor.
He doesnt come across as a toff ,nor is he tarred with the extreme right wing headbanging brush.
He would make an excellent mayor.
Boris please stand.
I think the man is a complete twat...
Adrian Yalland said...
Labour Rules/anon....don't flatter yourself!
Not all of us have brains so "samll" they only think in soundbytes of 30 words or less.
What's a "samll" please ?
The Hitch said...
To most people Boris is a patently decent man
Buzz off fatty you spoil this blog.
That would be grreeaattt
"Boris would walk it. He's one of the few much loved politicians in the world"
Today the world, tomorrow Liverpool?
May I add my voice to those urging Boris to become Prime Minister, World President and Leader of the Known Universe.
Have those who condemn him as a pratt, buffoon, etc., ever read any of his stuff? It is thoughtful, thought provoking, and devoid of cant. He and Wm Hague would make a wonderful team.
Surprisingly, the Tories always do well when led by relaxed toffs such as Disraeli, Salisbury and Macmillan.
But Red Ken is not the Mayor of the City of London (which does allow Tories, and does wear the tat).
In what way would Boris make a great mayor? Would he screw a better deal out of the Venezualeans? Is that it?
He'd be fun for a week or two. Then screwed by his total lack of street smarts, local government experience, street smarts, oh and street smarts.
Boris as an entertainer is worth about £10k a day.
As a politician I reckon Boris is worth £100k a day......
to the Labour Party.
Trumpeter Lanfried said... Surprisingly, the Tories always do well when led by relaxed toffs such as Disraeli, Salisbury and Macmillan.
Happy days.
A decent man does not betray his wife and children, a decent man does not drag his mistress to an abortion clinic. Din't the Tory Party once stand for family values?
Boris is accident prone and not a real Conservative with big 'C'. Terrible idea.
Does he live in London at all?
Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please... pretty please
Go for it Boris.
He has my vote!
Boris needs a good team behind him though, Ken is evil, but he's also a very effective politician.
This is the first bit of commonsense I've seen in ages! I will vote for Boris and he 'can' beat that unprincipled opportunist Livingstone! You need a gimmick to beat Ken the Bastard and Boris has it. For the love of god go for it!!!
I volunteer to create his campaign posters.
local government experience, street smarts, oh and street smarts.
Corruption ,dishonesty and low reptilian greed. How smart it is to support the IRA encourage Isalmic hate crimes and operate a make believe foreign policy depends what street you are on. In some streets it goes down quite badly
"From Shagger Norris to Bonking Boris.
What kind of a message is that to send to the good people of our capital city?"
That London's a great place for shagging and bonking? Sounds fine to me.
I'll join the Boris campaign - and I don't even want to shag him.
The mayoralty of London is beneath Boris and he shouldn't even contemplate it - and won't. In any event, the roiling mass of illiterate third world immigrants wouldn't understand his bon mots.
I agree with everything Newmania wrote. My only reservation about Boris for Prime Minister would be his private life. He needs to get a more mature attitude to toe-ing the marital line. Other than that, he's aces.
Someone earlier said: "he'd be pretty good on culture, and the promotion of London around the world...but"
That puts him 30 love up on KL doesn't it? Not a bad start. Don't tell me that a cycling Oxford First who has lived in Islington for a decade or two couldn't master transport and lor 'n order if he needs to!
The idea of 'Bonking Boris' being put in charge of anything more complicated than running a bath is completely, well, bonkers, and the Tory party would do well to knock this fatuous idea on the head before it gains any currency.
While Boris may have an IQ in four figures he hasn't got an ounce of common sense, and no more idea of how to conduct himself as a politician than Blair had of telling the truth. He may be hugely popular, he may be entertaining - but putting him up in such an election where more than the good moneyed folk of Henley-on-Thames vote is ludicrous. He might apeal to the Thames-side Toffs in Henley but I can't see him getting many votes in Brixton or Peckham.
Once again, the Tories by even floating this notion have allowed themselves to appear ridiculous, desperate and completely divorced from reality. The spurious squals of support on this thread no doubt come from Labour trolls, wetting themselves at the prospect of burying Boris in the elctoral mire - and who can blame them for taking advantage?
Can no-one in the party get a grip? GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR !
The mayoralty of London is beneath Boris and...(cont. p94)
We'll add it to the list then.
Titter ye not.
Cracking choice. I think he'd win too.
Colin, Londoner is not a troll but posts regularly on this site and ConHome. Any textual analysis will show a firm Conservative orientation. You have forgotten that Tories are cavaliers and not roundheads. It is a pathetic defence whenever one is in the minority to cite "trolls".
Sure, Boris would be a gamble but what is there to lose? Bring it on.
Boris is a legend - you would need a heart of stone not to like him.
Go Boris!
Never underestimate Boris. To those who say he can't run anything, look at his track record at the Spectator which was excellent. Beneath the insouciant exterior lies a man of real drive, talent and ambition. And what a great antidote to Gordon the Gloomy he'd make.
Fancy a BJ?
On reflection, no.No.
London is full of self-serving, self immolating minority groups who are just big girls blouses waiting to have their buttons popped - so that they can scream "persecution" every time they are not pandered to.
How long before the Somalis, or the Romanians or some other smelly and disreputable "community" get the bum's rush from one of The BJ's comic asides and cause a riot?
And not only that, Boris is about as un DC-nu-Con as you can get, so Dangerous Dave will not be amused. Steve Hilton is probably tearing Boris' arm off right now, and hitting him with the soggy end for not categorically refusing to stand.
Could Boris be sure that Eton Dave hadn't got another Dyke in the pipeline?
The Boris site is silent on the matter
Absolutely yes.
Education education: a 'samll' is a typo (or, a typographical error).
Blimey, if Verity and Newmania like him - he get's my vote too!
Seriously, he'd be a great campaigner, great fun, relaxed and not up his own rectum.
He'd have to be a liitle more circumspect about his extra marital shennanigans though. Starting with an 'apology in advance to all those in London who he will inadvertently offend' would be wise!
I think he would anger those who are oppossed to abortion - but then so does Ken!
But on the whole, if the objective is to (a) defeat that disreputable arse Livingstone and (b) create a well run assmebly for the betterment of London, then we need Boris as Mayor, and a few good people behind him to sweep up the mess!
On the whole - I'd join his campaign team tomorrow.
Hang on.. no I wouldn't. I want him to win!
Apologies for the typos, I am on a train!
What experience has KL apart from being a lying smirking dickhead ?
Boris would walk it.
If he wants to be PM, that would be the right move because it would give him a high profile and enable him to show how good he is (or not for that matter, but it has not stopped KL until now)
I didn't really believe this story at first, I really can't see Boris taking the job. But as I posted on my blog earlier someone has registered borisformayor.co.uk, so maybe he really is interested?
Does it mean it's a choice between
Bonking Norris and Bonking Boris?
Will News of the Screws have the final say?
The people of London are increasingly tired of creepy Ken and I think Boris could actually pull it off.
I thought there was a note of fear in "Anonymous"'s comment and he is clearly a Labour supporter.
Boris should run on a platform of massively reducing the scale of the Olympic Games and also unlike Ken not allowing the raping of the London Skyline by philistine big-business interests.
Love the gear in the pic Iain. Boris looks more of a prat than he did in his Bullingdon get-up. And that's really hard!
Anyone in the frame for the Henley bye-election yet?
Can't forbear any longer: on 4 April, on this very blog, I commented:
The role for Boris to prove himself is Mayor of London
The Conservative Party cannot keep dodging this issue: if it is seriously on the offensive it must prove it by dislodging Livingstone
Fearlessly shaking sticks at busted-flush Blair and McBrown is not proof of anything about the fitness to govern of the Conservative Party
No stomach for the fight? Then vacate the battlefield (or nominate Newmania)
So it takes 3 months ..? but we get there in the end
He is a clown, not someone who can run the city's transport and policing. Livingstone is a competent, self-disciplined, canny politician. Mr. Johnson is just an old and rather stale ham act.
Adrian Yelland, you didn't read my post or Newmania's post. We don't think he should run. We think it is a dead end, low prestige job and would be the curtains for his ambition to be PM.
Apart from all the other negatives, he is much too astute to run for a job which requires pretend enthusiasm for the Olympics scam.
I used to think that Boris would be good as a leader of something but he's become a bit boring and predictable. Forever writing rants in the Telegraph and Spectator about freedom, smoking bans and the current bunch of puritans who run the country. Never seems to get much beyond that though with scant opposition to anything in Parliament. Bit of a busted flush really.
Perfect choice. London Mayor is the job for those individuals approaching middle age who haven't grown up, and need some experience before settling down.
Boris is still cordially hated in Liverpool. A bit like John MacEnroe at Queens Club, he will never be forgiven. Just warning him in case he didn't know.
dizzylexic said...
Education education: a 'samll' is a typo (or, a typographical error).
July 04, 2007 4:44 PM
Is that you Adrian ?
Forever writing rants in the Telegraph and Spectator about freedom, smoking bans and the current bunch of puritans who run the country
He is in the tricky oposition of being man who makes a living by selling opinions who is not ( By David Cameron) allowed to have any.
He does all he can
THIS IS A JOKE ...RIGHT.
Newmania @ July 04, 2007 1:12 PM--
that is one of the most beautifully written, spot-on accurate precis I have ever read. You have put into words the inchoate feelings I have about Boris, and the putdown for Brown is right as well (squalid liar not plodding and dull). entrg4blgr
Blimey Graeme I usally get abuse , if anything.Thanks.I used to comment on the Boris site a lot and I thought about his style a fair bit .
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