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The Guardian view on Boris Johnson’s return to the national stage The Guardian view on Boris Johnson’s return to the national stage
(14 days later)
After 24 hours of turmoil, Tories needed someone or something to raise morale. Not for the first time and perhaps not for the last, Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, obliged. In trademark fashion, Mr Johnson seemingly bumbled into an admission that he will seek a return to parliament; acceding to those who believe the party needs his kind of electoral Viagra, but also giving voice to his own fierce ambition. The mayor appeared to pronounce off-the-cuff, but had clearly considered his announcement and its timing. As ever, the mask disguised deliberation.After 24 hours of turmoil, Tories needed someone or something to raise morale. Not for the first time and perhaps not for the last, Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, obliged. In trademark fashion, Mr Johnson seemingly bumbled into an admission that he will seek a return to parliament; acceding to those who believe the party needs his kind of electoral Viagra, but also giving voice to his own fierce ambition. The mayor appeared to pronounce off-the-cuff, but had clearly considered his announcement and its timing. As ever, the mask disguised deliberation.
This phase in the evolution of Mr Johnson should bring many Conservatives to a moment of decision. Until now they have been able to enjoy the soap opera, knowing that from City Hall his ability to significantly influence the party is limited. At this point, drama becomes documentary – with the possibility that Mr Johnson could ride a wave into the Commons and – should the prime minister fail to win the election – into the leader’s office. This moment requires Conservatives to look at him with clarity. Is he of the calibre they would want to lead their party? They may have thoughts about his private life. They might consider how integrity affects his political maneouvrings. In 2012 he said the mayoralty was so important that it “couldn’t be combined with any other political capacity”. Under his new plan, he would be mayor and an MP for a year. This phase in the evolution of Mr Johnson should bring many Conservatives to a moment of decision. Until now they have been able to enjoy the soap opera, knowing that from City Hall his ability to significantly influence the party is limited. At this point, drama becomes documentary – with the possibility that Mr Johnson could ride a wave into the Commons and – should the prime minister fail to win the election – into the leader’s office. This moment requires Conservatives to look at him with clarity. Is he of the calibre they would want to lead their party? They may have thoughts about his private life. They might consider how integrity affects his political maneouvrings. In 2012 he said the mayoralty was so important that it “couldn’t be combined with any other political capacity”. Under his new plan, he would be mayor and an MP for a year.
A reassessment would highlight his political track record; an uninspiring period as MP for Henley, undistinguished stints as shadow arts minister and shadow higher education minister. It might consider his performance at City Hall, where he struggles to marshall detail in the face of questioning from the London assembly. It might also consider the grand schemes that bear his stamp – the troubled progress of the Boris bikes initiative and the sparsely used cable car spanning the Thames – and question whether he could deliver multibillion pound national projects. A YouGov poll in March revealed doubts among 41% of Tory voters that Mr Johnson is “serious enough to be trusted with big national decisions”.A reassessment would highlight his political track record; an uninspiring period as MP for Henley, undistinguished stints as shadow arts minister and shadow higher education minister. It might consider his performance at City Hall, where he struggles to marshall detail in the face of questioning from the London assembly. It might also consider the grand schemes that bear his stamp – the troubled progress of the Boris bikes initiative and the sparsely used cable car spanning the Thames – and question whether he could deliver multibillion pound national projects. A YouGov poll in March revealed doubts among 41% of Tory voters that Mr Johnson is “serious enough to be trusted with big national decisions”.
There is scope for unease about the very tool Mr Johnson has deployed so successsfully – his unashamed willingness to play to the gallery. Today’s announcement emerged as Mr Johnson gave a speech hailing – in the face of much evidence – Britain’s prospects outside the EU. Does Mr Johnson winking at the cheap seats have the maturity to navigate issues of critical importance?There is scope for unease about the very tool Mr Johnson has deployed so successsfully – his unashamed willingness to play to the gallery. Today’s announcement emerged as Mr Johnson gave a speech hailing – in the face of much evidence – Britain’s prospects outside the EU. Does Mr Johnson winking at the cheap seats have the maturity to navigate issues of critical importance?
None of this could or should preclude his re-entry into national politics, but amid the clamour, Conservatives need to be clear as to what they wish for. The emperor may promise much and may deliver. Or the emperor may have no clothes.None of this could or should preclude his re-entry into national politics, but amid the clamour, Conservatives need to be clear as to what they wish for. The emperor may promise much and may deliver. Or the emperor may have no clothes.