Boris Johnson on protest: from John Wilkes in 1769 to Black Lives Matter in 2020
Boris Johnson is known to be a fan of John Wilkes a late eighteenth century radical(1725-1797)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wilkes#Middlesex_election_dispute
Wilkes was a libertarian in political outlook and a libertine in personal life- a member of the Hellfire Club. Johnson’s behaviour often seems to mirror that of Wilkes.
When he was London Mayor he included a chapter on Wilkes in his 2012 book the Spirit of London. Wilkes had been elected as a radical Mayor but lost support when, in a separate role, he led the army against Gordon rioters trying to burn down the Bank of England in 1780.
In 2012 however Johnson saw no reason to criticise the popular ‘mob’ who backed Wilkes.
In 2020 he is to be found complaining about thuggery by some Black Lives Matters protesters.
Consistency however is not one of Johnson’s strong points
Johnson on the election of John Wilkes as Brentford MP in 1769
After Wilkes had been elected mobs several thousand strong marched down the Great West Road to London, stopping every carriage they could find, calling on its occupants to huzzah for Wilkes , and hurling mud and stones at all who refused to join in the jubilation. John Wilkes, the Father of Liberty. Boris Johnson, The Spirit of London 2012
The Prime Minister later tweeted: “People have a right to protest peacefully & while observing social distancing but they have no right to attack the police. These demonstrations have been subverted by thuggery – and they are a betrayal of the cause they purport to serve. Those responsible will be held to account.” Boris Johnson on Black Lives Matter protesters 2020
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