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Boris Johnson has been brought to his knees by a man who died in 1312 Boris Johnson has been brought to his knees by a man who died in 1312
(6 months later)
Westminster was agog. Suddenly, following a single TV interview, the top job was up, the priceless bauble dangled tantalisingly before the nation's most ambitious men and women.Westminster was agog. Suddenly, following a single TV interview, the top job was up, the priceless bauble dangled tantalisingly before the nation's most ambitious men and women.
Clearly Eddie Mair has leapt ahead. With Andrew Marr recuperating, and Jeremy Paxman seemingly out of sorts, Mair suddenly looks like the BBC's next star interviewer. There must have been rage when other presenters opened their morning papers: "Mair smashes Mayor"; "Boris's bicycle crash"; "Oh cripes, is that the top job gone?"Clearly Eddie Mair has leapt ahead. With Andrew Marr recuperating, and Jeremy Paxman seemingly out of sorts, Mair suddenly looks like the BBC's next star interviewer. There must have been rage when other presenters opened their morning papers: "Mair smashes Mayor"; "Boris's bicycle crash"; "Oh cripes, is that the top job gone?"
Less noticed, the fight for the Tory leadership has changed too. It's like a game of Jenga, in which competitors try to dislodge one brick at a time without actually being responsible for the smash. On Monday David Cameron was in Ipswich. Theresa May was in the Commons. And Boris, well, who knows in what dark place? (Hackney, actually.)Less noticed, the fight for the Tory leadership has changed too. It's like a game of Jenga, in which competitors try to dislodge one brick at a time without actually being responsible for the smash. On Monday David Cameron was in Ipswich. Theresa May was in the Commons. And Boris, well, who knows in what dark place? (Hackney, actually.)
I conducted some investigative sketchwriting. What's always puzzled me about the charge sheet against Boris is the Piers Gaveston problem. I can understand why he shouldn't have lied to Michael Howard, or helped a friend who wanted to beat up a journalist. But how could a "sandpapered" quote about Edward II's lover get a man sacked in the late 20th century? I turned to Andrew Gimson, Boris's first and best biographer. He tells me that Boris had suggested that Edward and Gaveston cavorted in a palace built in 1325, even though Gaveston had been executed in 1312. "The trouble was that Boris had attributed this view to his godfather, a Balliol don … who was made to look idiotic and was very, very cross. He complained to the Times. Boris failed to show contrition and according to some, told the editor, Charlie Wilson, that most of the quotes in the Times were made up anyway. So the editor sacked him."I conducted some investigative sketchwriting. What's always puzzled me about the charge sheet against Boris is the Piers Gaveston problem. I can understand why he shouldn't have lied to Michael Howard, or helped a friend who wanted to beat up a journalist. But how could a "sandpapered" quote about Edward II's lover get a man sacked in the late 20th century? I turned to Andrew Gimson, Boris's first and best biographer. He tells me that Boris had suggested that Edward and Gaveston cavorted in a palace built in 1325, even though Gaveston had been executed in 1312. "The trouble was that Boris had attributed this view to his godfather, a Balliol don … who was made to look idiotic and was very, very cross. He complained to the Times. Boris failed to show contrition and according to some, told the editor, Charlie Wilson, that most of the quotes in the Times were made up anyway. So the editor sacked him."
All of which is amazing, since it means that yesterday Piers Gaveston had brought a national leader to his knees for the first time in 700 years.All of which is amazing, since it means that yesterday Piers Gaveston had brought a national leader to his knees for the first time in 700 years.
Cameroons at Number 10 did nothing to hide their delight at Boris's predicament. Some people argue that the public will forgive Boris as they always do – they love someone who doesn't seem to care what he says. But the MPs who will make the initial choice of next leader may be less affectionate. They'll dread the same thing happening again, possibly during an election campaign. Imagine the debate: "I have just two words for the Tory leader: 'Piers Gaveston'!"Cameroons at Number 10 did nothing to hide their delight at Boris's predicament. Some people argue that the public will forgive Boris as they always do – they love someone who doesn't seem to care what he says. But the MPs who will make the initial choice of next leader may be less affectionate. They'll dread the same thing happening again, possibly during an election campaign. Imagine the debate: "I have just two words for the Tory leader: 'Piers Gaveston'!"
In Ipswich, the prime minister was speaking about immigration. He was asked about Boris's interview. He smiled happily, then added, "never underestimate Boris's ability to get out of a tight spot." But the smile told the story.In Ipswich, the prime minister was speaking about immigration. He was asked about Boris's interview. He smiled happily, then added, "never underestimate Boris's ability to get out of a tight spot." But the smile told the story.
In the Commons, Theresa May was answering questions. She was wearing a black suit, a white blouse and sensible brown pumps. These were "take me seriously" clothes. A Labour MP asked if she was "embarrassed" by all the talk of her becoming party leader. She said crisply that this was "not a matter relevant to the remit of the Home Office." This is a "take me seriously" answer.In the Commons, Theresa May was answering questions. She was wearing a black suit, a white blouse and sensible brown pumps. These were "take me seriously" clothes. A Labour MP asked if she was "embarrassed" by all the talk of her becoming party leader. She said crisply that this was "not a matter relevant to the remit of the Home Office." This is a "take me seriously" answer.
As for leadership challenger number four, Adam Afriye, there was no sign of him. As usual.As for leadership challenger number four, Adam Afriye, there was no sign of him. As usual.
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