Atomic Boris must harness his powers

WHEN Boris Johnson talks about the internet being ‘the nuclear fission of our age – a development pregnant with boundless possibilities both for good and harm’ he could be referring to himself.

As postal ballot papers fly out to Conservative members this weekend, minds are being concentrated about this volatile, blond-haired force of nature.

The Tory leadership election is far from over, but soundings suggest the contest is Mr Johnson’s to lose. Barring some monumental gaffe (and who would rule one out?) we will, in a few weeks’ time, be living in Boris Britain.

And what an exciting place it could be under this new Prime Minister.

Even Mr Johnson’s detractors concede that he radiates energy. He positively fizzes with ideas, promising to propel the country to new heights of prosperity, inventiveness and social cohesion.

In an interview with this newspaper today, he sets out solid policies for the future, seeking to revitalise the political debate.

On street violence, he is prepared to take decisive action to end the deadly scourge of knife crime. And in keeping with his fundamentally liberal instincts, he proposes an amnesty for illegal immigrants who have created decent and productive lives for themselves and their families.

Boris’s understanding of human frailty – often gained at first-hand – is one of his great attributes. In his case, charges of populist Right-wing intolerance are hopelessly wide of the mark. He is clearly a believer in live and let live.

But when atoms split, the result can be explosive.