‘Bojo’ gets his wish
The man who led ‘Leave’ might have timed his arrival on the scene of national politics perfectly.
BORIS Johnson, the flamboyant former mayor of London, is not known for being modest or soft-spoken. But that is how he came across after his drive for a British exit from the European Union won a surprise victory – and immediately made him a top candidate to replace David Cameron as Conservative Party leader and prime minister.
Johnson paid tribute to Cameron, who led the campaign to remain in the EU and who announced he would resign after coming out on the losing end of Friday’s historic referendum. He did not mention the possibility of replacing Cameron as leader of the ruling Conservatives and as prime minister.
‘‘I think that the electorate have searched in their hearts and answered as honestly as they can,’’ Johnson said.
He saluted Cameron’s ‘‘bravery’’ in calling for the referendum.
‘‘This does not mean the United Kingdom will be any way less united (or) any less European,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘We cannot turn our backs on Europe, we are part of Europe.’’
Johnson’s blond mop of hair, quick sense of humour and outlandish ways endeared him to many Britons during his eightyear tenure as mayor of London. But beneath the bluster lies a shrewd politician whose campaign to break with a ‘‘failing, complacent and remote’’ EU bureaucracy secured a momentous victory.
When New York-born Johnson announced in 2015 that he planned to stand for election to Parliament, Cameron said: ‘‘I want my star players on the pitch.’’ That was before the two Conservatives found themselves on opposite sides of the referendum.
Johnson is indeed a star player – he triumphed to take the parliamentary seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip in west London in May 2015. After leaving the mayor’s office last month, Johnson – nicknamed ‘‘BoJo’’ by the British media and public – positioned himself as a leading voice in the campaign to leave the EU.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph this week, Johnson said the referendum was more important to him than his future as a politician.
‘‘Frankly, if this is the end of my political career . . . I’ve done eight years as mayor of London, I enjoyed it hugely, it was a massive privilege. Fine by me,’’ he said.
Other contenders include Justice Secretary Michael Gove (who has told the Telegraph he doesn’t want the role), Finance Minister George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May, and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson.
The bookies favour Johnson. Ladbrokes yesterday quoted him at evens, ahead of May at 3/1 and Gove at 5/1.
Johnson said nothing would change over the short term REUTERS following the Brexit vote.
‘‘In voting to leave the EU, it is vital to stress that there is now no need for haste – and indeed, as the prime minister has just said, nothing will change.’’
Britain would benefit from the vote to leave.
‘‘We can find our voice in the world again, a voice that is commensurate with the fifthbiggest economy on Earth,’’ he said.
‘‘I believe we now have a glorious opportunity: we can pass our laws and set our taxes entirely according to the needs of the UK economy.’’
‘ We now have a glorious opportunity: we can pass our laws and set our taxes entirely according to the needs of the UK economy.’ BORIS JOHNSON
USA Today, Reuters