Show us the substance

FOR a politician who has cultivated a public persona of a brilliant but shambling, hairtousling blitherer, Mr Johnson’s first steps as Prime Minister have been impressive.

His boundless optimism, energy and élan have roused the country. His policies are seductive: Ripping up stamp duty rules, fixing social care, and tough jail sentences. But how will he fulfil these extravagant promises? Money doesn’t grow on trees.

Boris has ‘absolutely’ ruled out a snap general election before Brexit. But his wish-list reads like a manifesto-in-waiting in case he ends up stuck between the EU rock and Parliament’s hard place.

Today, he speaks in Manchester – a prosperous Labour stronghold, but one surrounded by Leave- supporting ‘leftbehind towns’. He must demonstrate the Tories offer more opportunity than Jeremy Corbyn’s pessimism.

And on Monday he’s in Scotland, where he’s scorned. It’s vital he explains how Brexit can benefit – and preserve – the Union.

So far, we’ve seen a surfeit of showmanship. Now let’s see a surfeit of substance.