As Mayor of London, Foreign Secretary and then Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has created a persona. A politician with a Teflon exterior, where nothing much sticks. He won the largest majority for the Conservative Party since Mrs Thatcher’s 1987 win by presenting himself as an ‘alternative’ politician.
Since this grand old Duke marched his troops to the top of the hill and was forced to march them back down again the next day over the Owen Paterson u-turn, the public’s patience has been wearing thin. As a barrage of negative press wears his coating thin, the persona now sees dirt stick. Does the public now stay with this stale stand-up-comic Prime Minister, or throw him out and seek a more serious offering? For the first time, the polls have narrowed in recent weeks, giving Labour a slight average lead. Today’s PMQs will not allay fears in Number 10.
The Prime Minister was bruised by a reinvigorated Leader of the Opposition across the Dispatch Box. It wasn’t a 1990’s Smith/Blair performance, but as with other recent appearances at the Dispatch Box, he managed to get Boris on the ropes. Following last night’s explosive video showing the Prime Minister’s press spokesman laughing at a mock interview on a reported Christmas party/gathering/cheese and wine soiree, the public were screaming at their tv – “admit it! there was obviously a party.”
The Prime Minister opened PMQs with fury – threatening to root out the Downing Street revellers. This appeal for justice fell rather flat, coming off as belated sacrifice.
The Commons then fell unusually silent as Starmer told how Tricia’s mum died alone as her family followed the rules. The harrowing stories have resonated amongst a beleaguered population who are frankly fed up. Unfortunately for the Prime Minister, the court of public opinion has already rendered judgement.
The first tearful head to roll this afternoon was the Prime Minister’s press spokesperson, Allegra Stratton. Upset at the way that her comments had been taken out of context and empathising with the public who had lost loved ones. The public is savvy enough to know that Allegra was not in the room where it happened.
If the Prime Minister had hoped that a resignation would dampen calls for an apology, he will be mistaken. This story has legs to run for a full fortnight. The inquiry by the Cabinet Secretary will face months of press scrutiny, why were civil servants and political advisors collaborating to break the rules? Where was Boris and his wife – they live in the office, what did they hear? Did they bang on the floor to keep the noise down after midnight?
I can tell you one thing; Gogglebox is not one to miss on Friday night!