Boris Johnson: the History of a Clown- the serious side
According to his latest (and former)PR man Guto Harri Boris Johnson is not just a clown.
The point being that he is a clown however. Not only that of course. He’s made many racist and sexist remarks and pursued an often ruthless political ambition none of which involved being a clown.
His biographer Sonia Purnell notes that he was seen as a clown as far back as his Balliol student days. Later when a journalist at the Telegraph Max Hastings doubted he could ever be a serious politician (judging by an article he wrote in the Sunday Times on 6th February this is a view he still holds). Douglas Hurd had much the same view. The issue was not perhaps the clowning in itself but the lack of self-discipline its appearance in inappropriate contexts suggested.
Johnson argued 20 years ago that his clowning allowed him to pursue a more serious political agenda with less scrutiny but this sounds with hindsight like a post-hoc rationalisation. Portillo suggested he should choose between comedy and politics.
During his successful run for London Mayor up to 2008 Lynton Crosby the right-wing Australian strategist was a key advisor (as again now) and banned Johnson from ‘smirking’ during media events.
While the clowning could on occasion be controlled leaving a serious right-wing politician the ill discipline and generally shambolic approach continued and continues. For how much longer it remains to be seen
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