Who is 'Boris Johnson' of Birmingham?
I don't know about you but the results of the London mayoral elections scare me a little.
If Boris Johnson - a celebrity upper middle class buffoon - can take the crown, then there is something deeply disconcerting about the system which enables such a political light weight to take the centre stage.
Shouldn't his victory ring alarm bells for those keen to impose the same mayoral system for Birmingham and all other British cities?
Isn't Johnson's political elevation bizarre beyond comprehension? Doesn't it point to the ludicrousness of the electorate system which will, no doubt - as time goes on - ensure that fickle celebrities gain power irrespective of their management/leadership abilities? Celebrity status and popularity are everything - even in politics.
And last night, due to my current bouts of insomnia, I was thinking of this as the results were coming in - a complete, prat in charge of London, probably one of the most influential cities in the world.
In the morning Johnson's father was on Sky One talking about how his son is going to be an outstanding mayor because he can read Latin and ancient Greek! How this will help him to understand the multicultural, multiracial nature and composition of the metropolis, heaven only knows.
This afternoon I was contemplating as to who would be the Birmingham equivalent of Boris Johnson? Yes, we've got one or two celebrities like Carl Chinn, Jasper Carrot and, unless I'm mistaken, Jim Bowen but, surely they're well respected.
We need to watch out for a real buffoon character in the media. Can you think of anyone who has made racists comments, shown signs of xenophobia, Islamaphobia, snobbery and arrogance? Someone who has made embarrassing gaffes. Because if London is anything to go by, heaven forbid, he or she might just become in charge of our city.
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LOL!
If Boris Johnson had come second would Brian Paddick in 3rd place have done a deal to form a progressive partnership?
I think people underestimating Boris is a mistake - he's a very clever man even if he does play the buffoon. I for one am interested to see if he makes a success of being mayor or falls flat on his face!
You were right that you are mistaken about Jim Bowen, he's from Lancashire not Brum. Write - google to check - then hit post. Hope that helps.
As for the rest of the stuff you're well on your way.
Two comments on Boris interested me. The one from Steven Norris that those who don't know Boris think he's a buffoon, while those that do know just how clever he is.
The other was that the Tories have been scratching their heads for years about the "what should we do with Boris?" puzzle, their solution is to give him a multi-billion pound budget and put him in charge of one of the most important cities in the world.
Boris will be as good as the people he gathers around him and that is a real worry.
As for who would be "Birmingham's Boris" I think the answer is quite obvious - the Bring Back Wilbur the Accidental Tourist campaign starts here, doesn't it?
Wilbur for Mayor!
it's so ridiculous when people decide that boris is a buffoon based on his manner - the fact is he has a degree from oxford and one doesn't become editor of the spectator whilst being a buffoon.
and as to the point his father made about greek and latin - he was merely making a point about difficulty. as far as i am aware there isn't a course anywhere with the title 'how to run london and appeal to philistines with little or no ability to look beyond a public image'
Anon, do you not have capitals on you PC, or is lowercase-only the latest crazy to bestow our wonderful language? Hey, this would make a better bebate than some of the rantings Roshan has inspired.
WTF LOLZ @ Jerry Lancaster, u FAIL at Sarcasm, FAILLL PWN LOZ333
Jerry, I think if there was ever an example of where the English language can go, it's the comment you inspired from WebTroll (who lives up to his name.
It's an embarrassing indictment on the intelligence of voters in London that a privileged bigot who happened to "guest" host a popular evening t.v. show gets elected, despite his complete lack of experience of governing anything, his history of racist outbursts and his lack of policies.
We love being ruled by toffs don't we? First Blair, now Johnson and next Cameron.
What is more surprising is why people continue to vote Labour. Why? What do they stand for? Not for the less well-off, not for the disenfranchised, not even for "Middle England" - they are rudderless, confused and nasty, and they're as corrupt as the Tories were in the 80s and 90s.
People who consider themselves progressive, or who believe in social justice and equality need to start voting for The Green Party - their policies are everything that the left believe in, and their successful councillors in Norwich, Brighton, Oxford and Stroud show that they get things done and make things happen in ways that recalcitrant Labour dinosaurs in places like Sandwell and Wolverhampton do not.
jerry lancaster: is fixating on a personal preference your unique and advanced manner of debating?
moving on, the major problem everyone seems to have against boris is his upbringing. please explain to me why the fact that he has enjoyed privilege in his life makes him somehow less capable.
oh but excuse me - i had forgotten that it's apparently ok to display classism so long as it's directed at the wealthy. absurd that in this day and age background is such an issue and depressing that people don't recognise their own bigotry when they indulge in such prejudice.
You question why a "Buffoon" would get elected. Why not? Usually thieves,liars,embezzelers etc get elected. Which would you prefer?
What a load of old rubbish! Are you surprised at being insomniac when your writing is so purile. Anyone would be better than crooked Ken and his gang of criminals. Its hardly surprising the Post's sales figures are so bad with contributors like you. If they are stupid enough to pay people you they deserve their comic reputation. Why not focus on the real idiots, starting with Albert Bore and the cabal that trashed this great city.
Rohshan isn't the ordinary champion of left wing politics.Jed you're right about Albert Bore but to be fair Rohshan has criticised him... I think Bham needs a real visionary. Someone who has a passion who's not just pandering to political correctness.Too many buffoons in the Council, if you ask me.Do you remember when the liberals had a candidate who didn't speak a word of English - they had to get a translator (and the tax payer had to pay for it!). That's stupid, isn't it?Let's have a mayor with common sense and less of this political correctness.
On recent blogging form, Roshan Doug would meet all the above criteria.
Joke.
"Can you think of anyone who has made racists comments, shown signs of xenophobia, Islamaphobia, snobbery and arrogance?"
On recent blogging form, Roshan Doug would meet all the above criteria.
Joke.
ruth I think you've missed the irony...gota a feeling he was setting himself up for you to make such a remark!! you gota give it to him - he's got you hooked.