Sorry Boris, the days of empire are gone

Boris Johnson was a gift from his classical Greek gods to a young journalist in search of a story.

When he was a Conservative Party education spokesman and I was in London writing for the Times Educational Supplement, I’d give him a call when I needed a story on deadline. I knew if I talked to him long enough, he’d say something outrageous, something seemingly ridiculous, something secretly smart in its populist appeal.

Well, in leading Britain to its own ‘‘independence day’’, Johnson has outdone himself. This scholar of Latin and ancient Greek, who turned against Europe and incited scepticism as the Daily Telegraph’s Brussels correspondent, has now persuaded Britain to turn in on itself and essentially shut down its borders with the Continent.

Once, Johnson was seen as a lovable, tousle-haired toff, tottering around London on his pushbike. Now, carried by an uncomfortable coalition of struggling blue-collar workers and the monied blue-blooded upper classes, he could soon be Prime Minister. A poll running on the Telegraph website yesterday showed him already far ahead of his Conservative colleagues with 44 per cent support to become PM.

‘‘I believe we now have a glorious opportunity,’’ he said. ‘‘The most precious thing this country has given this Continent is the idea of parliamentary democracy . . . I believe the British people have spoken up for democracy in Britain and across Europe and I believe the British people can be very proud.’’

But like Icarus, in his quest for glory, he risks flying too close to the sun. As things get hot, this coalition upon which he soars will melt and crumble apart. Already, we see plans being made for a second Scottish independence referendum. Northern Ireland is discovering it has more in common with the Republic of Ireland, remaining in Europe, than with Westminster. On the European mainland, French nationalist party leader Marine Le Pen has acclaimed the English vote as licence for France, Denmark and the Netherlands to fracture from the EU.

Perhaps, as Johnson shuts down Portsmouth ferry terminals and closes the Channel Tunnel in fear of the big scary world, he hopes to return Britain to the safe bosom of the Commonwealth. But, fairweather friends, the days of empire are gone. There is no place in the NRL or Super Rugby for English teams. You can’t hitch your faltering pound to our dollar. New Zealand already has a North Island. We live in a bigger, bolder, braver world. Boris Johnson must learn to do the same – or crash and burn.