Congratulations to Boris

Boris Johnson yesterday became Prime Minister, following his good election win in the Conservative leadership contest.

He campaigned consistently and strongly to get us out of the EU by 31 October, with or without a deal. He made clear he sees the draft EU Withdrawal Treaty as dead. He and the government he leads mustĀ  now see this through. I wish him every success with the task.

136 Comments

  1. Pominoz
    July 25, 2019

    Sir John,

    Delighted that Boris is now ‘our man’

    I see however that certain celebrities are already gaining air time by knocking him ‘a la Trump’. Their view is, of course, so much more relevant than us ordinary folk.

    1. Tad Davison
      July 25, 2019

      Look out for the ‘bounce’ in the latest opinion polls. After the last three turgid years under the stewardship of the weak and wobbly so-called ‘Prime Minister’, it’s like walking out of this sweltering oppressive heat, and into a gloriously bright fresh spring day!

  2. Mark B
    July 25, 2019

    Good morning

    Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.

    1. Simeon
      July 25, 2019

      My sentiments exactly. Interestingly, Sir John’s view might not be too dissimilar given his observation that the overwhelming majority of the cabinet voted for the WA…

      1. Fred H
        July 25, 2019

        The old boss had to keep finding yes-men to fill the gaps as honesty prevailed and the cabinet members walked away.
        The new boss has had the long awaited clear out. They ought to be on orders to deliver policy (before the bizarre H of C causes a GE).
        He made reference to the people being the Boss. I suggest he frames the words in large print and hangs it on the wall behind his seat in the No 10 boardroom.

  3. Shirley
    July 25, 2019

    I hope he follows through on his promises, but my trust in politicians has been destroyed. I hope Boris restores that trust. This is the last chance saloon for the Tories.

  4. oldtimer
    July 25, 2019

    I too wish him every success as PM. He has made a decisive start in reshaping the cabinet to achieve his stated objectives.

  5. Nigl
    July 25, 2019

    Indeed as we all, well with the known exceptions, do. I particularly like Dom Cummings and JRM having influential posts. Should ensure no back sliding.

  6. Mick
    July 25, 2019

    Yes congratulations Mr Johnson and continue to show that British bulldog determination unlike the lib/dums and Labour Party whoā€™s pay masters the Eu are now running scared because now they will be dealing with someone and his team who believes in Great Britain and hopefully get us out of the dreaded Eu on October 31st 2019

  7. formula57
    July 25, 2019

    Indeed I wish him success too for he and his party will answer at their peril if he delivers the contrary.

    The replacement Cabinet is not unencouraging but it could do with more of obvious talent.

  8. James1
    July 25, 2019

    The fact that Mrs May is no longer in charge is for many people a reason to celebrate and be profoundly thankful.

  9. Tory in Cumbria
    July 25, 2019

    Almost everyone in his Cabinet voted in favour of Mrs May’s deal at least once, including the new PM himself. And Dominic Cummings is back pulling the strings. The one clear message of the first 24 hours is that the ERG have been played for fools by Boris. He is going to touch up the Withdrawal agreement, and he will get it through. I await the gnashing of teeth from Francois, Baker, Redwood etc!

    1. Simeon
      July 25, 2019

      It is strange that the ERG (with the notable exception of their chairman) have made common cause with BJ and Cummings rather than Farage. But then, implementing Brexit is not a binary issue in the way that Brexit itself – Leave or Remain – is. Brexiters have never been able to agree a common cause beyond winning the 2016 referendum.

  10. Dominic
    July 25, 2019

    Well done Johnson. Deliver us from evil or else. No more slippage. We want our country back and we want it back without conditions attached

    No more deals. No more obscure agreements.

    Get us out of the EU. Purge Labour’s client state. Crush liberal left fascism

    1. Tad Davison
      July 25, 2019

      Again, spot on! I am prepared to give Boris the benefit of the doubt on our deliverance from the EU because he is best placed to see it through, but the other matters are also of particular significance.

  11. Mike Stallard
    July 25, 2019

    ” I wish him every success with the task.”
    So do I!

  12. Iain Gill
    July 25, 2019

    Sadly Jo Johnson is back, who so comprehensively let network rail pull the wool over his eyes last time he was a minister.

  13. Barbara C
    July 25, 2019

    Yesterday, was a gloriously uplifting day. An uncompromising commitment to meeting the deadline, come what may, and the clearout of a “can’t do” cabinet is long overdue. I wish Boris every success.

    His new cabinet appointments also send the message that this is a man who means business, and who understands that laying solid foundations from which to build is fundamental for success. In particular, Gove’s appointment to the Cabinet Office will be key to turning around an EU-indoctrinated and recalcitrant civil service, and the plodding Clark’s replacement by Leadsom will breathe new life into our approach to business. Good start.

    1. Tad Davison
      July 25, 2019

      I think it is always far better to build a robust edifice on deep solid foundations rather than a house of cards built of sand. The Tories know this is their last chance, but having been in touch with a few senior figures and suitably reassured, I don’t see the new administration merely as being a sticking plaster, but something potentially far more formidable.

      Today in the commons, Boris played with a straight bat and dealt with all manner of questions which were designed to catch him out – and they failed!

      I agree too about Gove. If he is truly on side, he can be an asset. If he can change the pro-EU ethos in the civil service (which might mean a change in personnel), he can be an even bigger asset!

  14. Ian Murray
    July 25, 2019

    Hear! Hear!

  15. Iain Gill
    July 25, 2019

    Someone else should have got health, Hancock has just allowed CCG’S to get ever more out of control.

  16. Peter van Leeuwen
    July 25, 2019

    How could Boris Johnson succeed?
    – Campaign for a general election on say 7 November.
    – Let the 1 November date slip (i.e. disorderly withdrawal)
    – Having succeeded brexit this way Johnson will have beaten Farage
    – A new government would not want support from the DUP
    – A temporary one island economy will be accepted for N.Ireland (until future technical means will enable an invisible hard border).
    – The UK then makes up to the EU.

    Result: a temporary mess, always better than an enduring mess.

  17. agricola
    July 25, 2019

    Yes Boris should be commended for his positive speech outside No. 10. I would also commend the policeman for the positive way in which he loose mauled a greenpeace protest in the Mall and cleared the way for Boris’s audience at the palace.

    1. Tad Davison
      July 25, 2019

      Pity the police couldn’t be as assertive with the blue flag-waving ‘demonstrators’ outside parliament. At least television viewers and radio listeners would then get to hear what important and significant people of the moment have to say, rather than being drowned out by some eccentric nutter who in any other circumstance would have been detained under the Mental Health Act.

      1. Mick
        July 25, 2019

        I also noticed Tad that the bias bbc and sky news made sure that the stop Brexit banners outside Buckingham Palace were splashed all over our screens , bet if a leave banner was unfolded it wouldnā€™t have got as much coverage and as for the remoaner muppets outside Westminster well enough said because Sir John wouldnā€™t print what Iā€™d like to do to them with there Eu flagsšŸ˜”šŸ˜”

    2. Narrow Shoulders
      July 25, 2019

      Yes with regard to treatment of protesters surely proportional ity has to include regard to circumstance and inconvenience

  18. Bryan Harris
    July 25, 2019

    He has a lot on his plate, but I’m not sure it was wise to invite Gove to his cabinet, nor Javid as chancellor.
    There were plenty of excellent real Brexiteers that deserve being placed in critical positions – I hope he is going to make use of them…

  19. jerry
    July 25, 2019

    Sounding (and looking) Churchillian on the steps of 10 Downing Street, acting like Macmillan once inside but then appointing Ministers as if he was Thatcher (or indeed Blair or Cameron) has told us mere plebs little if nothing about his future aims -beyond achieving Brexit by 31st Oct 2019, do or die.

    Sorry to be so down, but I thought he was going to be the breath of fresh air, taking a wide broom through a Westminster that has not seen a broom for close on 50 years now, perhaps BoJo will find his moJo over the summer recess, and on reflection perhaps the necessary and total reorganisation needed (scrapping, merging or splitting) of Govt. Departments should wait until November 1st.

    1. jerry
      July 25, 2019

      Why hasn’t the failed DWP been split up, better disbanded?

      Working age [un]employment matters should be separated from social security, disability & pensions, the former responsibilities going to a revived Trade and Industry Dept. combining Business & International Trade depts, whilst the latter going to Health & Social Care (yes the old DHSS, it worked, perhaps to well for some on the right…). Boris will not defeat Corbyn (or even Swinson…) unless he scraps UC at the very least.

      1. libertarian
        July 25, 2019

        Jerry

        Interesting

        I got an email from a senior manager at DWP this morning informing me that all their email addresses will be changing, so maybe there is something happening there

        1. Narrow Shoulders
          July 25, 2019

          Yes they are removing gsi from all government emails. Hardly groundbreaking. But Jerry has merit with his point.

  20. Pete S
    July 25, 2019

    When is the AG to forced to present the bad points of the WA in Parl. It needs to be made clear to the public just how bad the WA is, and the reason why it had to be dumped.

    1. GilesB
      July 25, 2019

      Yes. An explicit demolition of all of the Withdrawal Agreement, not just the backstop, will ensure that the public are onside for a cleaner, simpler separation.

  21. J Bush
    July 25, 2019

    Where is the evidence Boris Johnson has declared the draft EU Withdrawal Treaty is dead?

    All I can see is that the MP’s he has chosen for his cabinet mainly voted to remain.

  22. Lifelogic
    July 25, 2019

    Congratulations indeed and what a relief to have someone with vision and a ‘can do’ attitude after May. Rather petulant of Hunt not to accept defence, does he not realise what a mess compete mess the May government has left behind them. Did he not feel any duty to at least help clear this up? In particular the Iran situation.

    Generally the wrong people have gone and the right ones appointed. I have by doubts about remainer Javid, but perhaps he will prove me wrong. Economics and Politics at the University of Exeter cannot be as bad as Oxford PPE can it? But it does sound rather similar. His pushing of an Islamophobia enquiry would be a huge mistake. The job is quite simple. To start with just undo all the absurd over taxation and over complex taxation introduced by Brown, Darling, Osborne and Hammond types in one move now. Then get the banks lending to UK businesses and to do so at sensible margins and terms.

    1. Lifelogic
      July 25, 2019

      Let us up that May makes up a little for he dire leadership by not acting as an energy to the Boris administration. It seem that is clearly Hammond’s plan. We do not need anymore of the Heath, Major 30 years grudge types.

    2. Lifelogic
      July 25, 2019

      As well as Javid we have Amber Rudd (Brother of EUfanatic Roland Rudd) reinstated as “Minister for Women and Equalities” which is rather worying. I personally would not trust Rudd one inch. A fox in the hen house.

      Anyway why on earth do we have such a silly and damaging department. Are they for “equality” or for “Women” (and thus clearly against men). One clearly cannot be for both? Do they mean equality of oportunity or of outcome?

      Just close the department down save millions and cut taxes, that will do far more for the living standards of all. All these idiotic bureaucrats and parasites do far more harm than good. Incubating misguided, perceived grievences all over the place and creating more work for parasitic lawyers everywhere.

  23. Lifelogic
    July 25, 2019

    Why do so many people dislike Boris and describe him as ‘extreme right’ he it nothing of the sort. I listened to his old Desert Island Discs podcast. He seems to be a delightful, intelligent and down to earth chap. Even if some of his musical choices are a bit questionable. Let us hope the Hammond, Clarke X 2, Gauke and Grieve types do not destroy Brexit and the Conservative party.

    1. Roy Grainger
      July 25, 2019

      So many people don’t dislike Boris – just a few in the media with disproportionately loud voices. He won election as London Mayor twice based on a significant percentage of traditional Labour supporters voting for him.

    2. Richard1
      July 25, 2019

      Quite right it is absurd. There are ridiculous articles in nominally sensible papers like the FT with such rubbish. I think the reason is he is hated and feared by the left because of his electoral appeal. Livingstone was a really extreme leftist – the first ever to get into a political leadership position of some sort in the UK. But Boris flattened him, even when Labour were ahead in London and in the polls.

      Let’s hope he can pull it off again. His ability to ‘trigger’ leftists is certainly going to provide some entertainment!

      1. Fred H
        July 25, 2019

        Quite!….. ‘hated and feared by the left’ – – Why so? – well ’empty vessels make the most noise’.

        1. Fred H
          July 25, 2019

          s/be –
          well the left ā€™empty vessels make the most noiseā€™.

      2. Lifelogic
        July 25, 2019

        Will the BBC still keep up their endless trashing of Boris now that he is PM I wonder.

        Compare and contrast BBC interviewing of say John Major, Ken Clark, Heseltine, May, Carolyn Fairbairn, Jeremy Hunt, Matthew Parris, Amber Rudd, any Libdem or Scot Nat etc….. with that usually doled out to Farage, Boris, Rod Liddle, JR, Rees-Mogg, Gerard Batten …. Quite apart from the fact that the latter (in any discussion programme) are always outnumbered by about 4:1.

  24. Billy Elliot
    July 25, 2019

    Yes Congratulations to Boris Johnson.
    With eager I wait how it goes. He talks the talk. But does he walk the walk?

  25. APL
    July 25, 2019

    JR: “He campaigned consistently and strongly to get us out of the EU by 31 October, with or without a deal.”

    OK, he seems to have more energy that his predecessor, let’s hope he doesn’t feel the need to ‘get down with the homies’ and attempt to dance like the fool before him.

    Next thing, let’s hope he might be the first Conservative leader that isn’t a pathological liar. And when he says we will be out on the 31st October, we actually will be out, no deal if necessary.

    I’m not going to hold my breath.

  26. MickN
    July 25, 2019

    The first thing he should do is to get the Attorney General to publish the FULL legal advice on the WA that Mrs May only let him pick and choose from before. I reckon it could answer a lot of questions.

    1. GilesB
      July 25, 2019

      Yes. An explicit demolition of all of the Withdrawal Agreement, not just the backstop, will ensure that the public are onside for a cleaner, simpler separation.

  27. Noneoftheabove
    July 25, 2019

    Boris and his new Cabinet feels like a very welcome breath of fresh air.

  28. Peter
    July 25, 2019

    Yes Congratulations. The whole country is relieved and happy to see the back of Mrs. May at last.
    There have been good opening speeches and big changes to the cabinet which could mean more determination to get out now.
    Rudd is still in the cabinet for reasons which escape me and making Javid Chancellor of the Exchequer is a huge mistake.
    Nonetheless, so far so good but there are lots of obstacles in the next ninety eight days,

    1. Lifelogic
      July 25, 2019

      I tend to agree but hopefully Javid will not let us down. Just the removal and May and Hammond is a huge boost to national confidence and the economy. Even before they start to undo Hammond’s absurdly high and totally moronic taxation system.

  29. Ian Wilson
    July 25, 2019

    His speech was by and large rousing and just what we need right now. it’s a pity he spoiled it with his references to CO2 and its discredited effect on climate.

    He needed a clearout of the Cabinet, but rural Britain will be disappointed to see the absence of the highly respected Owen Paterson, whose dismissal and replacement by ineffectual Liz Truss (still in the Cabinet) caused such anger in the countryside and surely lost rural votes.

  30. Nick O.
    July 25, 2019

    Congratulations indeed to Mr Johnson, and we all wish him and his new team every success.

    However, I am unsure as to why Mr Javid has been selected as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Do we really need a former banker in this role, when the whole economy still labours under the burdens left by the great financial crash?

    Also I do not understand why you yourself have not been given a role, maybe replacing Mr Barclay at DExEU, or perhaps you should be serving as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. I should also have liked to see Steve Baker appointed to a senior role in relation to trade or possibly serving at the MoD.

  31. Narrow Shoulders
    July 25, 2019

    An interesting start. Encouraging but he has so many dissenters outside the tent pissing in that any deal or no deal scenario has little chance of passing through Parliament.

    We live in interesting times which shall become more interesting while the sun shines throughout Parliament’s recess.

    I look forward to hearing the Ms Rudd and Morgan extolling the need to keep no deal on the table.

  32. Man of Kent
    July 25, 2019

    I would have even greater confidence that he would see through Brexit if your name had come out of the hat yesterday.
    Letā€™s see what today brings!

    1. outsider
      July 25, 2019

      Like many men (fewer women) Boris seems to be afflicted by “Boss’s Age Syndrome”. The symptom is a deep aversion to appointing anyone older than oneself. I may have missed one but, while allowing Geoffrey Cox to keep his post, Mr Johnson does not seem to have recruited anyone to a senior post who is above his own age of 55. B.A.S stems from a variety of emotional and rational motives and seems to be most prevalent among those educated at boarding schools. I guess it is not as bad as gerontocracy.

  33. sm
    July 25, 2019

    John – although many of us will be very disappointed that you are not moving in to No 11, and despite my reservations about Mr Johnson, I am impressed both by the prompt announcement of appointments and by many of the eminently suitable delegations to the backbenches.

    Of course we, as individual political anoraks who post here, could endlessly dispute the merits of Mr X and Ms Y, but given the inevitable necessity of juggling of priorities/capabilities/previous loyalties, I feel more positive about Westminster than I have done for 3 years. I must confess that on reading of the appointment of Dom Cummings yesterday, I let out a snort of delighted laughter!

  34. Richard1
    July 25, 2019

    Good to see the Queen has one of the great sir James Dyson’s cooling fans. I can recommend them.

    1. Lifelogic
      July 25, 2019

      Ā£499 ! I shall just splash a bit of water on my face or buy a nice old fashioned revolving Oscillating Pedestal Fans available from about Ā£20 each if I feel extravagant.

      Or just sit in my wine cellar!

      1. Mark B
        July 25, 2019

        How long have you been waiting to let slip that you have a wine cellar ?

        šŸ™‚

        1. Lifelogic
          July 26, 2019

          Ā£499 buy quite a few nice bottles of wine surely better value than a Dyson fan!

  35. Kevin
    July 25, 2019

    There is nothing about this first Cabinet that should upset the momentum
    of the Brexit Party. After PM, Chancellor is the Office of State that matters
    most. Once again, it is in the hands of a Remain backer. “No deal” alone
    matters as an exit plan. Once again, we have three months of uncertainty as
    yet another deadline looms. Keep preparing for the GE, Mr. Farage.

  36. Leslie Singleton
    July 25, 2019

    Dear Sir John–As an early Boris supporter, with letter in the Tory(?)graph to prove it, I am truly delighted with the way he has grasped the nettle. Thank God he hasn’t been tempted to naintain bridges with the wretched remainers. I am in the camp that thinks that Brussels will be its usual amazing negative unhelpful self so Boris will be able to say, truthfully, that he tried, following up with a rapid Election that IMHO he will win going away. Did anybody ever understand how we ended up with remainers as PM, Chancellor and Civil Service wallah not to mention forming a majority in Cabinet? Seems like a bad dream now except that three years have been wasted and we have managed to humiliate ourselves in the World.

  37. Steve Reay
    July 25, 2019

    Well done Boris for picking a leave cabinet. And well done to Boris’s campaign team. Boris fought a clean fight and didn’t slag off anyone unlike others.

  38. BCL
    July 25, 2019

    I am very encouraged by the PM’s appointments, not just from a brexit point of view. With Pritti Patel described as a new Norman Tebbit and Sajid Javid as a Thatcherite I think there’s hope for us. I also like the appointment of Dominic Raab and Jacob Rees-Mogg. I hope the latter will be able to temper the remoaner excesses of John Bercow.
    Who knows whether the PM will succeed in his Brexit ambitions I certainly hope so but if he doesn’t it won’t be for want of trying. The Dominic Grieves of this world may succeed in their efforts to defy the people but with Boris in the top job we have a hope of getting out on the 31st October and of putting the Brexit party to rest.

  39. John Sheridan
    July 25, 2019

    Boris has made a great start in his day as PM through his choice of Cabinet appointments. I wish him well during the next 98 days.

  40. Leaver
    July 25, 2019

    Not so sure.

    10 of his cabinet voted Brexit. 13 didn’t. Javid, Williamson and Truss all voted Remain.

    Facts are facts.

  41. Lifelogic
    July 25, 2019

    A Heath today:-

    Johnsonā€™s brilliant Brexit dream team shows that heā€™s deadly serious
    A stellar Cabinet and the comeback of Dominic Cummings means we may dare to hope again.

    Indeed, let us hope the petulant and dire remoaners like Tax to death Hammond, Grieve, Clarke x2 and the rest do not destroy it and the Party.

  42. Mike Wilson
    July 25, 2019

    I wonder why you have not been called to serve in the cabinet? As you date back to Mrs. Thatcher, perhaps you are regarded as ā€˜too oldā€™ or something?

    No mention of tax yesterday.

    No mention of the WASPI women yesterday. Thereā€™s a couple of million votes going begging there.

    1. jane4brexit
      July 25, 2019

      3.8m women I have read and then plus the votes of many of their husbands, partners, friends and children too, whose plans and pockets have also been affected by the unexpected pension delays. A quick first step would be to cancel and backdate the 2nd delay, for anyone who has had a previous increase too.

      I admit I am biased as my 2nd delay was for 18 months, as it was for many, strange and not logical for a new overall increased retirement age of one year only ie: from 65 to 66! This second amount was added to the first increase unnotified, of over 4 years….come on Boris!

      1. jane4brexit
        July 26, 2019

        Sorry to mention us WASPI age women again but will someone please point out to Boris, that illegal immigrants given amnesty will be claiming for pensions too soon or if they have not contributed enough while illegal and/or do not work, other benefits instead and for all their family members too..

        Re other matters, I am trying hard be optimistic, but the breakdown of the cabinet given by our host in another 25th July entry is making me worry and some of our new PMs comments, the WA was meant to be “dead” and it has to be if Brexit is to be a success, perhaps it is only a ploy to begin bargaining but we are way past that point. I hope he has read the Spectator article about the 40 top horrors luring in May’s WA and many other similar ones and the entries on here…

        I was disappointed that you weren’t given the job of Chancellor or a Brexit negotiating position Sir John, but if Boris isn’t going to go full Brexit then you will be far more effective outside the cabinet than in unfortunately, pointing out all of their errors and mistakes.

        1. jane4brexit
          July 26, 2019

          The article says lurking not luring…though some MPs do seem to be lured!

  43. Richard1
    July 25, 2019

    I didnā€™t manage to watch it but I see contemptible Corbyn refused to join in what has now become a tradition of standing for and clapping the outgoing PM. We do not want the anti-Semitic Marxists, nor would the shameful Tom Watson be any improvement.

    1. Fred H
      July 25, 2019

      It depends what the outgoing PM has done while in the job. In her case I’d have kept my arms crossed. Anything else is hypercritical.

    2. Tad Davison
      July 25, 2019

      I would have sat on my hands too. I can’t see the point of working towards removing possibly the worst Prime Minister in this nation’s long history and voting thrice against her flagship policy, then applauding her exit from the chamber – unless of course, it was to say thank Christ you’re going!

      May had her supporters, those who struggle to tell chalk from cheese, or see the dangers of the European Union, so they can be excused.

      And let us not forget that Blair had a standing ovation from ALL sides – something else I would not have taken part in were I a member!

  44. Alan Joyce
    July 25, 2019

    Dear Mr. Redwood,

    I like the sound of Mr. Johnson’s relationship with the EU based on trade and mutual support. Much better than ‘deep and special partnerships’ and one-sided treaties that attempt to scupper and extinguish hopes and ambitions for a free and independent United Kingdom.

    It’s a wonderfully sunny day today. I suppose the doomsters and gloomsters will be along soon on your blog to try and spoil it!

  45. ukretired123
    July 25, 2019

    Action this day!
    What a breath of fresh air!
    After 3 sterile years of wet blankets.
    Boris is winding up the dynamo with actual decisive actions true to his promises.
    He has set his stall out well and announced hi intentions.
    Most importantly he declared he is Servant of the people.
    And taken full responsibility unlike Mrs May.

    After being treated like a doormat – a favourite of the No 10 cat he’s top cat.

    His glass is always half full with peddling optimism unlike:
    Jez, May, Hammond, Carney, Khan, Varaka, Tusk, Junker, Barnier and Tom Cobbley with the Colly Wobbles crowd in the so-called Civil service and frit Remainers in parliament like speaker Bercow.
    He deserves his well earned success as everyday will be hopefully sunshine after a miserable 3 years of broken promises. The challenge is huge but therein lies the reward.
    Problems exist to be overcome and managed. Just getting to No10 has defied many doubters.
    May we live in exiting times!

    1. ukretired123
      July 25, 2019

      We were all previously in danger of turning into jellyfish with no backbone under May

      1. Tad Davison
        July 25, 2019

        The politicians perhaps, but not the people.

        Every single person I know was bitterly frustrated that there had been such little progress by a useless Prime Minister and her equally lack-lustre remain followers. The people were calling out for strong leadership. Maybe now, their wish has been granted, and the remainer jellyfish will fall into line.

    2. Fred H
      July 25, 2019

      may we live in exiting AND exciting times.

  46. Martin
    July 25, 2019

    An interesting point in Mr Johnson’s speech yesterday, was full fibre broadband.

    I wonder if he will get rid of the Nimby planning rules that make getting permission to dig up pavements a thing of the past?

  47. Newmania
    July 25, 2019

    Dominic (Rabid Dog ) Raab, Priti , ( the angel of death), Patel , Leadsom, McVey ā€¦ These people are appalling. Before the day is out another Ā£30 billion a year of borrowing,it looks like the magic money tree is alive and well.

    Welcome to Basket case Britain, lead by a fraud, who Americans think is typically British, stupid think is clever, and people who have no education believe to be an academic.

    1. Roy Grainger
      July 25, 2019

      Your sneering disapproval demonstrates Boris is off to a great start ! You lefties have a real problem with women in power don’t you – 4 out of the 5 names you mention – a tad misogynistic ?

    2. libertarian
      July 25, 2019

      Newmania

      Fantastic a ringing endorsement from you always helps. If only Andy and the rest would cry about this too we would know we are home and dry

      1. bill brown
        July 25, 2019

        Libertarian,

        Another unnecessary and pathetic remark

        1. libertarian
          July 27, 2019

          bill brown

          Who asked you and why the new handle ?

          Of course you dont think Newmanias ravings and libellous remarks are pathetic which kind of says it all really

    3. Glenn Vaughan
      July 25, 2019

      Newmaniac

      Your evident displeasure will be a source of joy to many readers of this blog.

  48. Martyn G
    July 25, 2019

    me, Sir John, that you seem to have been overlooked for a post in the new cabinet. It would have made us all (with a few exceptions!) very pleased…..

  49. Bob
    July 25, 2019

    I’m very disappointed that you didn’t get the Chancellors job.
    Is Boris serious about Brexit of will he be continuity May?

  50. John Probert
    July 25, 2019

    An Excellent day, well done Boris and his team

  51. Fred H
    July 25, 2019

    Well done Boris, and the two thirds support from Tory members. It was encouraging to hear from Boris on the steps of No 10, and the whirlwind speed of throwing out most of the failed Cabinet. There is so much to be done, it now remains to be seen whether the H of C, but mainly the votes of the current conservatives will support him, or run the very real risk of an imminent GE. That is likely to be the end for many MPs, with more Labour and Brexit Party candidates elected.
    So, have the stubborn anti-Brexit, anti-Boris MPs got the idiotic belief in a pyrrhic victory?
    Self sacrifice but mortally wounding their party?

    1. Tad Davison
      July 25, 2019

      Fred, all good points.

      I’m still of the opinion that a lot of MPs think more of the EU than they do of their country, or even their own party. That is intolerable and akin to treason, but alas, selection processes aren’t rigorous enough to weed these people out at source so the spread of the disease goes unchecked.

      Presently, an MP has to swear an oath of allegiance to Her Majesty. I wonder how long it would have been before they were made to swear an oath of allegiance to the EU instead, had the likes of Theresa May, Gauke, Liddington, and Hammond had their way?

      Boris Johnson’s accession to the top job does at least promise to stave off this malignant and creeping leaning towards ever-tightening union with the EU. Hopefully, it will go much further still and extricate us from its clutches entirely. It’s the best chance we’ve had in ages!

  52. Lifelogic
    July 25, 2019

    Minister for business, energy and industrial strategy – Kwasi Kwarteng. He is certainly fairly sound & a good choice. Let us hope he kills off all subsidies (and the market rigging) for ‘renewables’, ‘smart metres’, ‘electric cars’ and the likes and lets them compete (if and when this technology can do so). Compete on a level playing field that is.
    If he need any help he should get Lord Peter Lilley involved.

    Then again he would surely have made a better chancellor than Javid will. But we shall see shortly. What the Chancellor does (and does very quickly to undo the Hammond/Osborne/Carney insanity) is vital.

  53. Caterpillar
    July 25, 2019

    It is interesting to see the opposition and media paint an extremist ‘Leave’ image of the new cabinet + those who can attend, but its pretty much a 50-50 cabinet of remainers and leavers with a remainer again as Chancellor.

    Reply Not so, it is a Remain majority

    1. Caterpillar
      July 25, 2019

      Thanks for clarification.

    2. Tad Davison
      July 25, 2019

      I’m hoping that old saying still holds true, ‘When you have them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow’.

      Even the most ardent remainer must now realise their campaign is futile and they’re not going to be able to deny the public their democratic rights any longer however many obstacles they throw in the way, so must row in behind a strong leader who is going to take us out of the European Union.

      There’s another old saying which could apply in this case, ‘God loves best of all, a sinner who repenteth’, so there could be a way back for these remainers, although I wouldn’t trust them any more than I would trust a car thief with the keys to my car, until such time as they have proven themselves completely above suspicion!

  54. Fed up with the bull
    July 25, 2019

    Well so far Boris is filling me with confidence albeit with trepidation. What the hell is Nicky Morgan doing in the cabinet? Strange choice. Why aren’t you in it John? I would feel better with you as chancellor. I just hope Boris can deliver and if reasonable way forward can be found then let’s just get on with it. We do not need a deal. Just decent trading rules and I can’t see what is so wrong about that? If the EU don’t want to trade with us then so be it. So much for friendship. They are like children. You are leaving our club and we don’t want to know. Pathetic.

  55. Original Richard
    July 25, 2019

    To ensure the EU understands that Mr. Johnson is totally committed to the UK to leaving the EU without fail on 31/10/2019 with or without a deal Mr. Johnson should declare now that 01/11 will henceforth be a national holiday and known as ā€œindependence dayā€.

  56. Peter
    July 25, 2019

    John,

    Do you believe that Boris is the best man for the job? If so, and it turns out that he is unable to deliver Brexit, what then?

    Peter

    1. Peter
      July 25, 2019

      Not me. Some other Peter.

  57. Christine
    July 25, 2019

    Gutted you havenā€™t been given a cabinet position.

    Boris has selected youth over experience. He has also chosen those who backed him.
    Iā€™m pleased Jacob Rees-Mogg has been made Leader of the House. Also love the Priti Patel, Dominic Raab, Theresa Villiers and Ester McVey appointments.

    Iā€™m less pleased with the Amber Rudd, Brandon Lewis and Nicky Morgan appointments.

  58. agricola
    July 25, 2019

    PS
    I would suggest doing much the same with the unintelligible noisy voices off in Parliament Square. They do nothing to progress the cause of democracy.

  59. Little Englander
    July 25, 2019

    Well done Boris! Not known for taking prisoners but don’t forget ‘passengers’ – so why is Carney still here buddy blue boy? His (remain) job is done so pack him ORF back to Canada to fiddle about in whatever way he wants.

    1. Lifelogic
      July 25, 2019

      Why indeed, he has been a disasterm dragged the bank into politics and is very, very expensive too in remuneration and far more still from his incompetence. Far better people would be prepared to do the job for about 20% of his remuneration.

      1. Lifelogic
        July 25, 2019

        He has been a disaster, dragged ….

  60. hefner
    July 25, 2019

    All the best to the new PM. Choosing the new Cabinet was produced and announced promptly and decisively. The direction is clearly defined. And it is good to see clevepeople like Michael Gove and Dominic Cummings back in the thick of it. Whatever now happens, this is a proper Leave Cabinet, no ifs, no buts.

  61. Roy Grainger
    July 25, 2019

    “He made clear he sees the draft EU Withdrawal Treaty as dead.”

    Did he ? All I heard him say was that removing the backstop from it wouldn’t be sufficient at this point. Not quite the same – only the same if the EU refuse to re-open it.

    His cabinet appointments look good based on the people they have annoyed. Pity none of this happened 3 years ago of course.

    1. Mitchel
      July 25, 2019

      Did Boris release that he was in effect quoting “Cast Iron Dave”when using the phrase “no ifs or buts” towards the end of his address?

      And the photo of him on the front page of The Times makes him look like Il Duce!!

    2. Lifelogic
      July 25, 2019

      Indeed was it made clear? I am not sure it was! He kept going on about the back stop!

  62. bigneil
    July 25, 2019

    Congrats to him – now the test begins. Are his promises genuine – or is he just following the usual promise – to – get – votes routine we have seen so many times , , , , then **** on people.

  63. a-tracy
    July 25, 2019

    It is quite exciting, really interesting appointments.

    It’s a shame the Royals all like living in the South and we don’t have a Prince or Princess of the North. Boris needs his mate Nadine Dorries as Ambassador of Liverpool hehe that would send the lefties into a frenzy.

  64. James Bertram
    July 25, 2019

    I am sorry that you were not appointed Chancellor, Sir John.

    The majority of this New Cabinet voted Remain.
    Boris (and Raab and JRM), on the 3rd time of asking, voted for May’s Surrender Treaty.
    Gove and Rudd are still in the Cabinet, also Lewis, Hancock and Morgan.
    And still no place for Sir John, Steve Baker, Iain DS, Bill Cash, Bernard Jenkins, Owen Paterson, Andrea Jenkyns and many more from the faithful ERG ‘Spartans’ – so clearly not the radical ‘Leave’ cabinet the MSM would have us, the public, believe.

    I, too, wish Boris every success with the task – but still the old adage comes to mind ‘Never trust a Tory’ – Boris and his new cabinet remain very much ‘on watch’.
    If they back-pedal, the Brexit Party awaits.

    1. Lifelogic
      July 25, 2019

      The Brexit party awaits indeed what part of 9% did some Tory MPs not get? And the traitors Gauke, Hammond, Grieve, Clark X2, Hunt(?) … seem to want to bury the party.

      Some accommodation with the Brexit Party is needed to sweep these dire traitors away.

      1. Fred H
        July 25, 2019

        Lifel ….Could Boris agree (with Farage) not to contest the seats where these characters sit. Similarly Brexit party not to contest seats where a straight fight Conservative v Corbyn can decide it.

  65. RDWJansen
    July 25, 2019

    Already the pathetic voices of Remain complain that Boris’ Cabinet is packed with Brexiteers. Remainers : you have held this Country to ransom for the past 3 years and your PM and her Remain Cabinet has failed to achieve anything other than humiliate this Country by weakening our position and compromising our strengths away. This new Cabinet has been filled with people of resolve, determination and success as their main focus and they are now going to do what YOU SO MISERABLY FAILED TO DO which is to DELIVER Brexit with or without a deal and the plans for either possibility will be firmly put in place by 31st Oct whether you like it or not. YOU didn’t deliver anything – you weak hopeless people.

    1. Lifelogic
      July 25, 2019

      Indeed.

      Theresa May pathetically goes on about how seeing a woman PM shows woman that they can achieve anything. In her juvenile (‘cos I’m a woman/identity/grievance politics way).

      She should have added “not perhaps if they are very stupid, fraudulent, dishonest, nasty, incompetent and have a totally broken (essentially LibDim) compass”.

      Being PM and making a complete and utter fist of it is not that great achievement dear. Though I suppose becoming PM with so little talent, leadership ability or intelligence is perhaps? John Major did it too, with perhaps even less ability. Why on earth do we get so many dopes as PMs! Thank goodness Boris is about 1 million times better than May – hopefully that will be enough despite the many traitors efforts.

      1. formula57
        July 25, 2019

        As for “Theresa May pathetically goes on about how seeing a woman PM shows woman that they can achieve anything” are we to believe from May that women did not notice the premiership of Margaret?

        Rather what May’s premiership shows women and the rest of us is that no matter how incompetent and treacherous, women (like men or those who identify otherwise) can hold a job they do not deserve.

      2. Sir Joe Soap
        July 25, 2019

        An enquiry into how the May era ever happened is pertinent. Perhaps our second darkest hour?

    2. Andy
      July 25, 2019

      Mrs May delivered a deal – which is what voters were promised in the 2016 referendum.

      Just because you are angry and can shout a lot it does not mean you have a mandate for no deal.

      1. Edward2
        July 25, 2019

        The Withdrawal Agreement is not a deal.

        1. Andy
          July 25, 2019

          The withdrawal agreement takes us out of the EU and single market with a deal – which is what Vote Leave promised.

          It is also significantly worse than the status quo – which is what remain promised.

          Get used to it – because it is what Brexit means. Boris will change a few word, give it a different name and bring it back.

          1. Edward2
            July 25, 2019

            No it doesn’t.

            The trade deal negotiations begin after we leave the EU.

            The Withdrawal Agreement is a one sided treaty which is now dead having been rejected by Parliament three times.

            Uniquely joining both sides in opposition to it.

      2. Fred H
        July 25, 2019

        surely a deal means both sides are satisfied? The EU and ‘her’ were willing, but not the MPs. Similarly the Boss (ie the people) voted to Leave, not for a multi-hundred pages of the UK being handcuffed, re-mortgaged, debt-ridden, committed to servitude forever.

  66. Tad Davison
    July 25, 2019

    Yes, congratulations indeed.

    If Boris and his new cabinet can get the UK out of the EU by the 31st of October 2019, and do all the other things he listed in his welcome and dynamic speech, he will have turned the Tory party’s fortunes around, and could well become one of the greatest leaders this nation has ever had. Such a massive contrast to his immediate predecessor, and the first in a generation to show guts and determination in any appreciable quantity to my personal liking, quite unlike the wet duplicitous sock puppets we have been forced to endure since late 1990.

  67. Richard416
    July 25, 2019

    I would like to echo your best wishes for the new prime minister, and I think he will do a good job if he keeps on in the same vein.

  68. Ian!
    July 25, 2019

    I would want to wish Boris Johnson and the new team all the best for the endeavors ahead.

    While Brexit is clearly the first priority, restoring the trust in democracy and integrity parliament must be uppermost. Other wise they need to ask themselves what is the point!
    While every so often people get away with the odd slip is one thing. When those slips take on a momentum to become an acceptable practice those that donā€™t want to be seen in the same light have to stand up shout out otherwise they get tarnished with the same brush.
    I am of course talking of those individuals that stood on a platform to get elected. They accepted the appoint from a party leader to become a candidate, they accepted party support on the door, they accepted party funds and got elected on the partyā€™s manifesto.
    Once elected the manifesto for the party that gains power becomes its mandate.

    We all change our minds, change our views and as a society we are all the better for it.

    For integrity and creditability of Parliament in changing your mind from your commitment to your constituents it should then be incumbent on the MP in that situation to go back to their electorate and sell their new idea in an election.

    From the Conservative party point of view in 2017 they committed the following ā€œWe will no longer be members of the single market or customs unionā€ and ā€œno-deal is better than a bad dealā€. Those MPā€™s that stood on that ticket made that their mandate for their endeavors in Parliament. The Conservative Party has not changed that view.

    Clearly those that no longer see it that way and have not sort re-election are in breach of trust, have misrepresented themselves to the electorate are committing fraud on the taxpayer and are bring Parliament into disrepute.

    Those MPā€™s in Parliament while not involved in these indiscretions, see this happening, permit this to happen, they are themselves culpable in dragging the ideals of democracy in this country into the gutter.

    Under current procedures how this should play out I am not sure; in the first instance the local party should deselect them. Then they the local party should actively encourage a petition causing them to stand down.

    Although a code of conduct in the first instance should come from parliament its self.
    Out side of the Westminster Bubble, integrity and honesty is from our actions. Parliament needs to catch up or get punished.

  69. Andy
    July 25, 2019

    We should congratulate Boris Johnson on clearing out a bunch of incompetent Cabinet ministers.

    We should not be surprised that he has replaced many of them with even more incompetent individuals.

    The new foreign secretary and new Home Secretary – having both been miserable failures in Cabinet last time around – clearly rewarded for their ideology and not their ability.

    Itā€™s going to be entertaining watching the car crash.

    1. libertarian
      July 25, 2019

      Andy

      One of the many things that is so pathetic about you and some of your fellow ultra remainers is that you would wish massive failure, hurt and harm and a bleak future for your fellow country men and women . You wish this just so that your fragile ego can say I told you so. Except anyone who has lived in the real world or actually run a proper business knows that there is no real right or wrong way to do anything theres just problems to be overcome and opportunities to be seized .

      Whatever happens once we leave the EU business will survive and thrive. As is always the case those organisations that fail to adapt will go to the wall and be replaced by others that are innovative and creative

    2. Glenn Vaughan
      July 25, 2019

      Andy

      No need to panic. Your Jobseeker allowance payments will still be issued to you on time.

  70. Frankh
    July 25, 2019

    Boris has a lot to say but he hasn’t been tested yet, not really tested

    1. Fred H
      July 25, 2019

      after a few hours in post, do you think you could give a little more slack?

  71. hardlymatters
    July 25, 2019

    Just listening to Boris outburst at jeremy corbyn..not very edifying..JRM looks very uncomfortable in the background..if this is how its going to be it does not bode well for the future

  72. bill brown
    July 25, 2019

    Sir JR

    Boris ramblings of Nirvana in front of No 10,does not give one much confidence

    1. libertarian
      July 27, 2019

      bill brown

      Pathetic and incoherent post.

  73. The Prangwizard
    July 25, 2019

    I like what he says but he’s far too shouty. If he could turn the volume down a bit he’d gain more support and be less likely to be ridiculed.

  74. Pieter
    July 25, 2019

    You guys are not living in the real world- if you had the massive shipping and other resources for outward trade like you had in the 1960’s you might have some chance, but over the years you have left everything run down and so are not prepared in any way to take on the world again by yourselves.

    1. Edward2
      July 26, 2019

      Pieter,
      You quite obviously don’t import or export because you would realise that there are many transport companies that provide an excellent service over land or by sea or by air.
      There is plenty of capacity in this service area.

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