Boris for Mayor

Hello all,

I know its been a few days already, but I would just like to take the opportunity to enthuse about Boris Johnson, Conservative MP for Henley, deciding to run for the post of London mayor.

Boris is probably best known for his social gaffs, his disheveled appearance, and his repeated appearances on the TV show “Have I Got News for You”. Yet his apparent buffoonery hides a keen intellect and, I think, potentially, a great leader for what is arguably the greatest city in Europe, if not the world.

The left have predictably started taking swipes at Boris, and the chattering “champagne socialists” that make up a truly distressing proportion of the UK media and intelligentsia classes are talking about what a disaster Boris would be for London.

This is deeply unfair, given that their champion is the reprehensible Ken Livingston, who takes credit for the financial and social growth that London has experienced over his two terms as mayor, even those this growth has happened despite the best efforts of “Red Ken” to turn this town into the “People’s Republic of Londonistan.”

The congestion charge has done precious little to lower traffic levels in the city – all it has done is swell the London Assembly’s coffers at the expense of a lot of business. Many smaller businesses have had to massively increase their advertising budgets in order to become “destination stores” as opposed to relying on passing trade – my family’s business being a case in point.

There has been none of the corresponding improvement in public transport that was promised as a side effect of the congestion charge as far as I can see – just more money for Ken to do things like throw a “Cuban Cultural Festival” or subsidize St. Patrick’s day celebrations. No sign of a St. George’s day celebration of course – that might offend some minority group or other.

He also takes his time to invite controversial and dangerous Moslem clerics who champion suicide bombings and global jihad to the capital. Why, I have no idea. I am actually surprised that Ken has not just thrown in with the revolting George Galloway and joined the “Respect” party.

Then there is his banner-holding for the newest and most disturbing manifestation of left-wing insanity – anti-Semitism originating in the “liberal” segments of society. Ken should never have kept his job after making a Nazi jibe aimed at a Jewish reporter – if a similar comment had been made to an Afro-Caribbean or Moslem individual the outcry from the left would have been deafening.

So, bring Boris on I say. His father, I believe, said that “it was far better for an intelligent man to pretend to be a buffoon than for a buffoon pretend to be an intelligent man”. Will Boris solve all of the problems existing in London, many created by Red Ken? No. For one, Boris is a cyclist, which is a segment of society that I despise, but mainly it will be the total in-ability of any subsequent mayor to repeal the congestion charge – its been around too long now and the money is too imbedded in the LA’s income.

One thing is certain at least – Boris is a personality and a character, and hopefully next year’s campaign will be entertaining watching at the very least.