Boris for mayor?
Draft Boris! Believe it or not, that's the call that's gone up in the Tory leader's office as the search for a Conservative candidate to run for London Mayor hots up. That's right, Boris Johnson is seriously being talked of as the man to put up against Ken Livingstone. Boris, word reaches me, has not dismissed the idea out of hand but cannot think how he would explain to his constituents in Henley why he was spending so long in the Capital.
Can you think of what he could say? If so, perhaps, you can help draft Boris and cheer up every political journalist in the country.
PS: You may recall that David Cameron has already tried to draft Greg Dyke along with the Lib Dems. The recent moves stem, in part, from the sad news that one of the front runners, Nicholas Boles, has had to withdraw from the race after revealing that he is fighting cancer.
I'm 
Comments
Nick,
Someone should really setup the site www.draftboris.com to start gathering support for this brilliant idea!!
If he is to stand I will vote for him. I am not a conservative, but Ken needs to go!
DRAFT BORIS NOW! He would be brilliant for London and political dialogue. I've always respected Boris as a man who speaks his mind, contrary to how advisable such a move is, but if the Conservative's are to win the Mayor of London seat, they need to challenge the cult of personality surrounding Red Ken. Blue Boris is larger than life, articulate, intelligent and a good guy to boot. DRAFT BORIS!
A bizarre idea that shows the desperation of the Tories. Johnson has no experience of running anything more than a low circulation magazine, and is widely regarded as an entertaining buffoon. Is he really the best candidate the party can produce?
Priceless! It could be a bit risky as the post has international exposure, but how could anyone not warm to Boris apart from old-style Labour tribalists?! You can see why the Tories are crying 'draft Boris' - he's the only Tory who is genuinely liked by the public.
I agree... and I think I might actually vote for him.
Hell will freeze over before I vote conservative in a general election, but in the case of Boris for Mayor... let's say hell is a lot colder than it used to be.
What a great idea!
Great! Go for it David!
p.s. I have to admit an ulterior motive - he is my MP and I'd love to get rid of the bufoon and get a real politician in his place.
omg, this is completely insane! am i the only wondering how is he an MP in the first place? r they mad?
1. He doesn't live in London.
2. He will represent the party of law and order despite laughing off having his children illegally in the front seat of his car.
3. His judgement stinks, not only the example above, but ask the people of Portsmouth and Liverpool. His gaffs would make London a laughing stock on the world stage.
4. It would put the final nail in the coffin of David Cameron's stated intent of relyng on substance not spin. Boris is witty, amusing, oafish at times (in a likeable way), BUT he just is not a real heavyweight political figure.
Other than the above it would make me watch a televised debate with more interest.
Would the people who 'worry' about having a Scottish PM and a Scottish Chancellor of the Exchequer also worry about the prospect of having an old Etonian PM and an old Etonian Mayor of London?
Nick Robinson needs to use a spellchecker - he surely meant to say "Daft Boris". David Cameron would be just as daft as Boris if he selected him to run!
Draft Johnson more like daft Johnson I would accept that there may be character and beliefs but what about substance, and a soulful beleif that despite what others say your opinions shoud be heard. Unlike the opportunistic sound bite approach. Yes Boris may have said the 'heartfelt' occasional 'vox pop'. But from the media impression I have of him, at times I would seriously question his abilty to justify in a sensible manner anything he has said.
Not a Londoner just greatful he is not standing in my constituency
Nick
This would be a really bad decision for Londoners - we've been calling for the Tories to get themselves a serious candidate for a long time because Londoners are entitled at every election to have a choice between equally credible candidates.
Running Boris would rob the electorate of that choice but also point to a deeper failing by Cameron - if he can't find real candidates for such a powerful job what does that say about the talent he can attract to the government he wants to form?
More thoughts:
A genius idea. The thought of another term with Ken running London as his own fiefdom is too depressing for words.
I'd be happy to campaign for him, as long as Boris brings back the Routemaster
Boriswatchers will be ecstatic! Boris has the personality and the intelligence to see it through.
If Mr Johnson was to win the mayors job it would be Conservative Party HQ running London not him. When as an independant editor Mr Johnson published some harsh truths about Liverpool, his then party leader, Mr Howard a Liverpool FC supporter, ordered him to go there cap in hand and eat his words. The same would happen in London.
HQ - Now Boris you mustn't say or do that, David wouldn't like it.
BJ - Well then David must let me know if I can or cannot build new Grammer Schools, and George do I spend more or less on Puplic Transport.
HQ - Yes spend on shoe lockers, David can then send his shoes by bus rather than by car.
BJ - So much stress, I'm off to perform on a television show, much more my cup of tea.
What a brilliant idea! Henley is far too small a stage for Boris and London is one of the few cities that he has not offended.
With his propensity to speak his mind, he is very unlikely to get into Cabinet even in the broadest of tents but Mayor of London would suit him to the ground.
He'd still be able to do Have I Got News for You in his spare time and his "Clintonesque" peccadilloes would be an asset in London rather than holding him back in the rest of the country.
Go for it Boris!
What should Boris tell his constituents? How about something along the lines of it being the duty of those on the upper reaches of the Thames to keep an eye on the lower reaches?
Perhaps he could commute by river too, preferably by rowing as they make a big thing of that in the town? I'm sure they'd be doubly proud of him then.
But you are naughty, Nick - more or less advocating personality politics in the Brownian era... do you really miss the 'old' days that much (or need cheering up)? Seriously, what we most need is not a cult figure from any party, but anyone who can do a good job for London!
Boris for london mayor, I love it.
He is loved by everyone. Boris has my vote.
london mayor isn't some joke job.
the london mayor is responsible for responding to terrorist attacks, policing, transport and a host of other vital tasks that effect the lives of all londoners.
the idea of a joker like boris johnson being in charge fills me with horror.
i wouldn't put this joker in charge of a rural village, never mind a city of 6 million people.
I wonder if he would greet diplomats the same was as he 'greeted' that german player in the not so friendly game.
Why not? He's ignorant, politically naive, a buffoon and a liability. The quintessential Tory candidate, in fact.
Why not? He's a buffoon, politically naive, accident prone and a laughing stock. The quintessential Tory candidate, in fact.
Here's to the next seven years, Ken!
Can it be changed to "Boris for London", as I keep mis-reading it as "Daft Boris"?
Mayor Johnson? What a terrible idea. He's likeable and a bit of a rogue, but then so's Ken. At least ken has some actual passion and ideas for London - I've never heard Boris say anything of substance apart from wanting to keep classics in the curriculum and a suggestion that Scottish MPs should't vote on English matters (neither are bad ideas, but nor do they show any real depth of political thought). He's fun, but I don't want someone fun running my city, I want someone competent. Let's vote for a person of substance for Mayor and keep Boris on chat shows, where he belongs.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ha, ooooah, ha ha ha ha ha ha, - - let me catch my breath!
Nick, is this a joke, or what?
I thought nothing could better illustrate the contempt the Tories have for the voters of London than trying to impose a term limit on the Mayoralty, but the idea of Boris running takes the cake.
Well, I've always sworn that I would never vote Tory as long as I live. Boris is a bit of a buffoon, but he's probably the only politician in Westminster today who comes across as being honest and actually saying what he means. That's probably enough for me to vote for him.
I'm one of Bozza's constituents, and also work in London, and I think it's a fab idea!
Boris is the best MP we've ever had - Heseltine barely knew where Henley was on a map but Boris takes a keen interest in local matters and is brilliant.
He'd be a great Mayor of London.
No need to explain to your constituents, Boris, GO FOR IT!!!
After voting for Labour all my life I'm fed-up with them and with Ken. I'd switch my vote to the Tories if Boris stood for Mayor of London.
even if Boris doesn't stand as a mayoral candidate, he's still a national treasure and as such deserves recognition: could we at least have some bronze figures of him on the rooftops of various buildings around town, a la Antony Gormley's Event Horizon?
Boris Johnson is not a buffoon, he is a very clever man who manipulates an air of daftness and outspokenness as his "market differentiator". He has the insight and confidence to say when the emperor is walking around naked, and the independence of mind to govern pragmatically - an asset for a Mayor, rather than the current hindrance for an MP.
Had he been mayor last week, I'm sure his comments would have been something like: "This was a feeble attempt by some kids who don't know the first thing about making bombs, now get back to work everyone", rather than the auction of hysteria which seems to be gripping the rest of the media/government establishment.
And you could be sure he'd put the interests of cyclists first.
Boris should be the Conservative Party leader, not Mayor of London.
hahahahahahahaahhaaaaa thanks Nick... I haven't had a laugh like that in ages
Might just vote for him too ;)
I think Boris for Mayor (sounds a bit like a baddie in Pantomime)is a great idea, he talks a load of sense and doesn't pull his punches. As a citizen of Portsmouth I had to agree with everything he said about the city, it used to be clean, full of activities for the younger generations, and a place to be proud of, but now after 15 years of Lib Dems running the council it is a dump, the streets are dirty and not safe to walk around at night, and drug dealers and drunken teenagers congregate in the parks on summer evenings. Thank goodness for the rain.
As I think the balance of comments show, this isn't as daft an idea as first impressions suggest.
Maverick politicians often appeal across traditional party lines precisely because they value honesty above party loyalty. People respect that even when they have significant policy differences with someone. Ken himself is living proof of that - I'm no psephologist but a glance at voting patterns across London in parliamentary, local and mayoral elections tells you that a fair number of Conservatives must have voted for Ken.
Mayoral and gubernational politics in the US is very character driven (as opposed to party driven) and there's no reason to assume the same thing might not happen here.
A quick tally of comments to this point (37 as I write) show Boris with a 12% lead. Given that 'discontents' are generally more disposed to write than 'contents' it probably understates his popularity.
It's a brilliant idea! Boris will attract supporters from every political party
Ace idea. The best.
What all those who doubt him should remember is that Boris is a very clever man -- he may not toe a political line very well, but he thinks brilliantly on his feet and can master difficult subjects in seconds.
London needs cheering up
Vote Boris!
Draft Boris for Mayor of London?
Great idea!! The Clown versus the Comedian!!
Should do a lot for politians credibility.
I'm convinced that Boris could excel at any political appointment. I'm just regretting he is not leader of the Conservative Party. Why should it just be London who benefits? We could all do with a leader who has the cojones to be honest and forthright yet still manages to care about the people he represents and make time for those he doesn't.
Boris for PM!
I confess that I am a huge fan of Boris and enjoy his self-deprecating brand of humour, which he uses to mask a brilliant mind. However, London has had a clown in charge of its affairs for long enough. I am not a Labour supporter, and am unlikely ever to be so in a general election, but I would vote for Kate Hoey in a flash for the Mayor's job. She is a principled, articulate and sensible politician (and you can't say that about many of them). She has stood for a London constituency for years. What a shame that the Labour party took Ken Livingstone back, (which shows how principled they are). Perhaps she could be persuaded to stand as an independent?
Get away! Boris is my local MP and there's no way we're letting him go!
Boris the buffoon?! Real Londoners would never take him seriously. Boris is a man who has shown himself to look down on other cultures - so he could never command respect in such a culturally diverse city. He comes from, and firmly remains in, upper class English society. Totally isolated from the real world. Ken Bigley's brother rightly told him so too!
Boris is probably the only candidate from any of the parties who has enough genuine appeal to take on Ken. He might make a few gaffs but he is genuine and says what he thinks. Haven't we had enough of spin and thought control politics. Boris for Mayor he would breeze home against Ken!
I think it speaks volumes that Labour supporters would vote for Boris. I lived in London under Ken and I liked him a lot, but I'd vote for Boris. I would campaign for him from over here in the USA if I could. Happy Independence Day! And do run, Boris!
So Boris Johnson the Conservatives' vision of running London? News of that apparent dream has just reached me here in Ultima Thule, aka Ontario, Canada. In a galaxy far, far away, I used to live in London, so I suppose I just about qualify to do a web shout about Boris's putative metropolitan summitry.
Well, one supposes that Londoners will want to look at some sort of excuse for a CV for the job. "Do come in from the corridor and sit down. Now, run anything before, have we?" Well, Boris was on the Conservative Front Bench. And off it. Fast. Put down on and off the Front Bench. Okay, just made a note of that. What about running something like the largest employer in Europe, as Frank Dobson did, before he threw his hat into the London ring? Umm, well old man, running the Spectator's office was great fun, know what I mean, had racy parties like in the JCR at Balliol. Let me be serious for once: as host to the City and the Diplomatic Corps I would surely treat Bill Gates, or when eyeball to eyeball with UNISON, or Wafic Said, or the US Embassy and the station chief from Langley, with the same, free and easy, out to lunch style that was my flair at the Spectator.
But Boris is a great humourist. In fact, the very notion that Boris represents the Conservatives' vision of running the British capital shows the Conservatives as more of a repository of humour than had hitherto been the case, at least since they wanted Jeffrey Archer to roll up, bowl a ball, a penny a pitch, for the same job.
Boris for Mayor is an excellent idea. He's full of life - just what we need in London - not another deadbeat politician to stand against Ken.
BUT if Boris wins, he MUST give up his constituency. We need him to focus on London. Dave could always make him a peer if he wants to keep a toehold at Westminster. Then we would have LORD Boris for Mayor!
Who supports for Lord Boris for Mayor?
Cameron must be in a real panic to get a candidate.He is really scrapping the bottom of the barrel with his Old Etonian mate Boris.
I wonder who Cameron will ask next a "Telly Tubby".
What a FANTASTIC IDEA!! Get Boris in right now!!
That would liven things up no end - I support him!!
I only wish he was standing for Real Labour - better the devil you know, I say!!
At least i think he can be trusted to speak his mind.
As a Portsmouth resident - sorry Michele not sure what part of the city you live in but it clearly isn't the same part as me - I would be more than happy if he stands and the electorate vote him in because a)gives him a new target to offend
and b)you sometimes get what you deserve.
If Londoners cannot see through his opaque coloured veneer - the fog is thicker than I thought.
Credible schmedible.
I think we should leave Boris alone to do what Boris does best...Make a complete and utter pr..t of himself.
He does not even have to practice at it, it comes natural to him.
Please get Boris. And Ken will be assured of another term!
I'm not a Tory but I'm with Boris!Millions of us love and respect Boris for his humanity and wit - though above all else, because he's one of the very few honest politicians.
I wish Boris was PM - I'd vote for him and I'd certainly vote for Boris as Mayor, he'd beat Ken hands down.
Yet I don't think Boris should stand, he is above all else a parliamentarian and that's where he belongs
I've just seen an item on 91Èȱ¬ news about Blair getting around 370,000 viewings on Youtube for his greeting to Sarkozy in French.
Well Boris playing football got well over 868,000 viewings on Youtube.
That says it all.
Boris for PM!
He's a funny man, but as disaster/resignation waiting to happen as a politician.
Whatever happened to the Tory promise to have US style primaries to select the Mayor? Like every other promise they make they quickly have to back-track when it blows up in their face. Cameron is a joke and Boris Johnson is the punchline.
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!
You could put a monkey in blue and it would beat Livingstone. If Iraq stuffed Blair the Olympics has stuffed Livingstone.
Boris would be a fantastic mayor. He's as sharp as a tack - even though he comes across as a bit mad. His occasional lapses in diplomacy and behaviour are more than balanced out by his bucketloads of charm. I'd be proud to have him as London's leader.
[I'm sick of joyless old Ken.]
Perhaps all posters here should consider the fact that it's not that important who stands for the Mayoralty of London, but do we need one at all? I believe that UKIP are the only party committed to disbanding this not needed level of local politics, which costs London tax-payers a huge amount annually.
Perhaps Boris should defect from the Tories and make a stand for the UK Independence party and campaign to ban this ridiculous office once and for all.
Can I make one serious point? We're currently being bombed by militant Islamists, Yorkshire is under water, Summer has been cancelled this year, millions of smokers are wandering around feeling like pariahs, house prices and interest rates are going "wheee", and Mr Grumpy is in Number 10. The country badly, *badly* needs cheering up. Vote Boris: I mean, what's the worse that can happen? Seriously? He falls off his bike and stutters a lot? Serious minded politicians with large brains and noble intent have committed utter, utter disasters. Boris will do little harm and bring much joy. Vote Boris, if only for the psychological benefit. We badly need a little fun in our lives, and it would be nice to have a politician that actually makes people smile.
Boris for prime minister!
Well Boris is generally well regarded by much of London, contrary to most commenters knowledge, he lives in Islington (which is London) and he cycles a lot.
He does have a lot of good will from students and is genuine.
Good luck Boris
I would rather have a daft entertainer running London that a slimy backstabbing turncoat.
I would vote for him, he may be a bit eccentric but he ca'nt be any worse than the newt loving tax obsessed smug communist we have at the moment, anyone who can force Ken into retirement will get my vote, plus I like Boris anyway.
Three cheers and hoorah! Boris needs a bigger job and London needs a new mayor. Go for it Boris and damn the consequences!
Well Boris is an excellent Higher Education spokesman, and did wonders at the Spectator. Livingstone has made as many gaffes as Boris, and, in addition, holds politically obnoxious views. But Boris would be wasted on London -- we want him as PM.
From good old Daft Boris to "Draft Boris." How interesting!
Those people who are so keen on drafting Boris are Labour trolls.
The moment he announces his intention, the tabloids will start producing ever more lurid aspects of his private life. Ken will win by a landslide and the London Tory Party will be irrevocably damaged.
I feel sad for all those people who either see Boris as a toff or full of sleaze he is a normal politician and fallible person. He is not some god to be worshipped which is the way the labour supporters see RED Ken. I remember how he became the labour leader on the GLC, 'stabbing in the back 'the previous leader and his (Kens) friends who must have helped him.The Labour party has always been much more ruthless than the Conservatives in internal wrangles, look how long it took to change leaders and in the end it had to be democratic. Labour cannot even do that witness the TB/GB change.
Boris for Mayor!. We do not need much of a guide for Londons Administration just a light touch BORIS is just the man. He can leave most, but not all, of the work to the Borough councils, where it should be.
Before you buy into the cliché�d "buffoonery" as an act or something too silly to take on a serious position, please read Boris�'s Thursday column in the Telegraph, his articles in The Spectator or his higher education contributions to HoC debates (on Hansard). Go to his website and see what he�'s really about before you swallow the joker media image whole.
Of the previous 71 postings Boris is now 18% ahead on this blog (pro v anti - I am ignoring the neutrals).
I take objection to the Spectator being dissmised as "a low circulation magazine". It is the most influential political publication in the country, and it is a tremendous achievment for boris to have edited it. By giving up the prized position he displayed his commitment to politics. Go for it Boris!
Boris Johnson may or may not be a buffoon & this may, or may not, be a silly idea.
However an apparent buffoon was elected, then re-elected, to run the States. & look at what he's done & what's been revealed about his 'string pullers'.
Who is pulling Johnson's strings?
Why not draft him in, finally there would be someone I would be happy to listen too. He has personality unlike most of those in politics, vote him quick...........the general public may finaly find polictic's intersting!
I love Boris and think he's much sharper than people give him credit for. I totally agree with Timothy Martyn's point above - we need some fun in this country. Things here are becoming politically and socially greyer and more bland and beige by the week. Yes, politics is a serious business but there was a time when politicians could be good at their jobs and have personalities. Let's have someone who speaks their mind and isn't media trained up to the eyeballs for a change!!
Vote for Boris!!!
Anyone is better than Red Ken! Boris would be a brilliant candidate. Although he can appear a little dim at times, he is clearly a very intelligent man underneath. Hopefully he can undo some of the things that old Kommie Ken forced upon us. Boris for Mayor!
Boris would be a great Mayor of London,get a Boris blog button from www.boris4mayor.blogspot.com
Look at the picture. Doesn't he look like a man of deep thoughts? His hair style gives him the appearance of a composer, perhaps an orchestra conductor? Should we take him seriously? Well, if somebody puts his or her name forward to be a Mayoral Candidate we have to take him or her seriously whatever the chances of him or her getting elected because if the person is elected the said person will have practically unlimited powers to do things that will dramatically change the face of London and our pockets.
Boris for Mayor is a brilliant idea. Anyone who dismisses Boris as being simply a buffoon either hasn't taken the time to read any of Boris's writings or else they are the buffoon themselves. Boris's clarity of thinking, trust in humanity and love of humour would make him an excellent choice as Mayor of our great capital, and a long overdue antidote to red Ken. I for one would be proud and chuffed to bits!
"Someone should really setup the site www.draftboris.com to start gathering support for this brilliant idea!!"
Somebody already has. Go to www.borisborisboris.com and sign the petition and watch the video. Let's get this great man in the office!
It's time London was rid of the Stalinist robot, who is one of the worst examples of the fascist left. Run London for the benefit of Londoners, and not Comrade Ken's personal little Baltic-style soviet satellite.
I'm sorry but Boris hasn't got a clue. I guess his popularity probably indicates the dumbing down of Britain. Having said that it probably reflects the infinitessimal chance the tories have of winning the mayoral election.
Ken might not be the most popular (well actually he is) but at least he has the balls to do something positive and try and tackle real London problems. Boris will be all sound bites, look at me gaffes and ineffectual policy. I live in London, use London Transport and drive but I do think he has made a difference in a good way.
You could never call him PC, for that alone he gets my vote.
Ken, with the best of intentions, let's the PC stuff get in the way.
An absolutely brilliant idea!! We need a truly genial, up-front, honest-to goodness politico in the glasshouse asap! Livingston has destroyed London, taxed it to death, insulted all races and creeds - another term with this little man and London will be known as a vacant lot!! Conservative Central Office must make Boris take on the challenge NOW. If he wins, then Henley can look on him as their rep in the bigger world, because LONDON is the place to be. If he loses, well, only the voters will be to blame. No more RED KEN, PLEASE....
I think Boris would make a brilliant Mayor. He has a certain flair that would keep people liking him, even though he is in office. Furthermore, it is my guess that his idiot persona is only that; an idiot persona. He was King's Scholar at Eton, and read Classics at Oxford, so there must be some Grey Material inside his head. The energy with which he tackles his shadow ministerial briefs is quite astounding. He is one of the few Higher Education Ministers to apply for a rectorship of a University. What is also telling is his concern for his constituents. This makes any suggestion that he is doing it to massage his ego, increase his power or any other self-serving reason is quite ridiculous and a strong example of his strong sense of responisbility, which is something many politicians were not born with, or have, at any rate, forgotten. Overall, it would be refreshing to have a man of such vigour, creativity, humour and lateral-thinking-intellect ensuring that one of the greatest cities of the world remains great. he'd probably get the Olympic Logo changed as well; he isn't afraid to speak his mind, which is waht this country needs in positions of political and governmental responisbility.
how can you not love hair like that?