Mayor of London : Clown ,puppet or the real deal ?

[Wedgy Benn]

So Boris Johnson becomes London Mayor tonight . Do you think he knows what he's doing or is his energy masking his failings ?

Do you think he won the vote because of his comical value or because he seems passionate about the state of London ?

I think in some way he will do British politics the world of good . He's charming and will do the job with a smile on his face. Commentators seem to think he will surround himself with the best assistance money can buy and just mumble away at the press. Obviously I'm a fan of him due to his idiotic/genius performances on HIGNFY but I do think he is just a puppet and not his own man like the man he has replaced .

Thoughts please.

[removeduser_426582376423734]

His election isn't unique. The Conservatives won in landslides everywhere, so it wasn't just a popularity contest (although I'm sure that helped).

On topic though, I read a line somewhere that works well: "his heart is in the right place but whether he'll make it work is what is up to question".

[finneys13]

Watching from the outside, Livingstone was about the only half-decent Labour politician left, he didn't have a clean slate, but had a very good track record for being in power 8 years in media spotlight, and most of his policies have been successful.

Boris is a baboon.

[mongrel]

Watching from the outside, Livingstone was about the only half-decent Labour politician left, he didn't have a clean slate, but had a very good track record for being in power 8 years in media spotlight, and most of his policies have been successful.

Boris is a baboon.

The problem was that he as a Labour politician. As he is signed up to an administration that is deliberately targeting the poor to give the comfortably off a few extra shillings, I for one could not vote for him, in all conscience.

Gordon is a moron.

[nemgod]

I know I called him a bafoon in another thread few weeks back but that was more due to me being angry at something irrelevant to last weeks votes and I take that remark back. But anyway he was voted into office so we shall see how he does.

And Mongrel while Ken may have been in labour he is not part of the Westminster government. A vote for ken would have been for gen alone and not really connected to Gordon in anyway.

[Yorkshireman]

I think only time will tell, at the moment he's an unknown quantity. I think one of the problems he may have is that he's inheriting a system put into place by Livingston, who's the only elected mayor they've ever had, so it's maybe going to take him time to stamp his own mark on the way things are run. Of course, not living in London, I don't have any stake in it, so if it all goes pear shaped for Boris, I can chuckle and not have to worry that it effects me up north.

[Каие]

Of course, not living in London, I don't have any stake in it, so if it all goes pear shaped for Boris, I can chuckle and not have to worry that it effects me up north.

Unless London goes over Budget, or he s it up big time. The capital does have an effect on the rst of the country...

Boris isn't as stupid as he makes out. You don't have an Eton and Oxford education if you're that stupid

Erm.....money?
Bush went to harvard didn;t he?

[The Super Pope]

Erm.....money?
Bush went to harvard didn;t he?

People in his inner-circle say that he is a very intelligent man, and behind the facade you do not become an Oxford trained historian if you are thick

[Каие]

People in his inner-circle say that he is a very intelligent man, and behind the facade you do not become an Oxford trained historian if you are thick

So why has he never had a proper job or mamaged anyhting in his life? All of a sudden i am supposed to believe his inner most circle of friends?


@ At everyone else
Londoners got two votes 1st pref. and 2nd pref. so the turnout was even lower. Something like a third of London are foreign born.

[mongrel]

And Mongrel while Ken may have been in labour he is not part of the Westminster government. A vote for ken would have been for Ken alone and not really connected to Gordon in anyway.

Under normal circumstances I agree. But under the current circumstances every vote for Boris ensured that Labour now realises it faces defeat, if it carries on which its oppressive policies, and that Gordon's days are numbered.

I had an agonizing choice between having a bumbling fool govern my city or a moron govern my country.

[finneys13]

Under normal circumstances I agree. But under the current circumstances every vote for Boris ensured that Labour now realises it faces defeat, if it carries on which its oppressive policies, and that Gordon's days are numbered.

I had an agonizing choice between having a bumbling fool govern my city or a moron govern my country.

Labour know it faces defeat no matter on the London result.

So having a choice of bumbling fool governing your city or a half-decent man governing your city, you picked the former?

[mongrel]

Labour know it faces defeat no matter on the London result.

So having a choice of bumbling fool governing your city or a half-decent man governing your city, you picked the former?

Afraid so. It gives Labour absolutely no wriggle room. Knowing the mind of Labour ministers, a victory for Ken would have been spun as a national triumph. If Boris is crap we can vote him out again. Gordon needs to go sooner rather than later, so we can avoid bin taxes, ID cards, £80 fines for looking dodgy, and any other petty evils he can dream up.

[King Edward III]

Let's get cracking tomorrow, lets have a drink tonight.

[LoZz]

for all the moanings of the communists living in london boris is actually quite a smart guy. ok he isnt the most articulate person ever, but he is smart then you think.

he isnt what i would call suitable primeminister material but he is up to the job of mayor i think.

[the Black Prince]

Boris is an Oxford Graduate, and you don't get to even go to that Uni, let alone graduate from it without a good deal of intelligence. He's smart, witty and has spent years working in around politics, both as a politician and political commentator/journalist. He knows what he's doing.

Boris's only downside is he speaks his mind. Personally, I don't think that's a bad thing. Haven't we had enough of labour's spin, lies, deceit and politico-speak?

[removeduser_426582376423734]

Personally, I don't think that's a bad thing. Haven't we had enough of most politicians' spin, lies, deceit and politico-speak?

Corrected.

[Denny Crane!]

I like Boris, I like the bumbling facade that allows him to speak his mind without fear of to much reprisal but I find him to be remarkably intelligent.

If more politicians were like him I would be more engaged with politics. I grow weary of the evasions and deceptions practiced by 99% of all politicians from all parties.

[finneys13]

Most countries have bin charges, it is good in the way that it reduces the waste one throws out, especially if you get a recycling bin for free.

[mongrel]

Most countries have bin charges, it is good in the way that it reduces the waste one throws out, especially if you get a recycling bin for free.

I am not concerned about the practice in other countries, I live under a UK tax regime. I already pay for refuse collection, via the council tax, why pay twice? I recycle already, the only things left to dispose of are the departed souls of all the chickens we consume. I therefore see no need for a punitive, additional tax that would have a disproportionate effect on those less able to pay than me. People will find out soon enough that fly tipping costs nothing at all.

People of all political persuasions have seen this is a con trick which must be exterminated.

[finneys13]

I am not concerned about the practice in other countries, I live under a UK tax regime. I already pay for refuse collection, via the council tax, why pay twice? I recycle already, the only things left to dispose of are the departed souls of all the chickens we consume. I therefore see no need for a punitive, additional tax that would have a disproportionate effect on those less able to pay than me. People will find out soon enough that fly tipping costs nothing at all.

People of all political persuasions have seen this is a con trick which must be exterminated.

Isn't there a concession for people under a certain income or over a certain age?

Is so in Ireland, where the bin tax has been a success, reducing rubbish and increasing recycling, as one gets free 'green bin' collections and a compost bin. And there is no more, probably less, fly tipping than ever before.

Instead of just opposing something, the British should see how things work in other countries.

Edit: The tax is paid by buying bin tags, you stick a bin tag on to the bin.