Pulls BoJo’s strings
OF PRESIDENT’S HENCHMAN
do his popularity no harm. When you look at what Bannon said in France it’s obvious to see the links.”
During his European visit in March Bannon addressed a meeting of the far-right National Front, telling them: “Let them call you racist. Let them call you xenophobes. Let them call you nativists. Wear it as a badge of honour. History is on our side.”
Bannon’s alt-right agenda is showing signs of growing in the UK with its commentators beginning to appear on mainstream programmes.
And the publicity surrounding far-right activist Tommy Robinson’s recent release from jail is increasing fears that a new movement is stirring.
When asked, Bannon said he believed the time was right for Boris to lead the UK.
He said: “I believe moments come. It is like Donald Trump – people dismissed him.
“Now is the moment, if Boris Johnson looks at this. There comes an inflection point – the Chequers deal was an inflection point. We’ll see what happens.”
Many believe Theresa May can see off a leadership challenge – but not for ever. And that would leave the door open for Johnson – a wily opponent.
A Labour source said: “I can see circumstances where we have to take on Boris. And it is going to be difficult.
“You can see from the polling that what he said chimed with the majority of the population.
“And that’s something that’s going to be tough to go up against. Boris has excellent name recognition and likeability, and is positioning himself as a man of the people.
“He could quite easily pick up the collapsed UKIP vote and that’s going to cause problems in the marginals.”
Labour’s David Lammy – who famously dubbed Johnson “a pound-shop Donald Trump” warns: “He is fanning the flames of Islamophobia to propel his grubby electoral ambitions.”
However grubby Johnson and Bannon’s aims are, one thing is certain. They are on the move.