ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Mike Hosking: Politicians would be wise to learn from Boris' success

Author
Mike Hosking,
Publish Date
Tue, 28 Jan 2020, 4:25PM
Boris Johnson achieved what people should have seen coming, writes Mike Hosking. (Photo / AP)

Mike Hosking: Politicians would be wise to learn from Boris' success

Author
Mike Hosking,
Publish Date
Tue, 28 Jan 2020, 4:25PM

They took out the champagne and brought in the British fizz - which I am told is of increasing quality and there are certain parts of Britain that make exceedingly good wine, especially the whites. And climate change will make more and more of the country suitable for vineyard work.

But that’s not why they took out the fizz. They took out the fizz because Boris signed the Brexit law over the wee3kend. It’s officially done.

It’s over. Three and a half tortuous years and surely a lesson of historic proportions when it comes to the interface between democracy and the ruling classes. Which is why Boris won the election, of course.

And the slightly sad thing is so much of this has come to pass over our summer holidays, so it hasn’t really got the attention it deserved.

What Johnson did late last year was little short of exceptional. He was brave and bold, he was fearless. He took all the imagery around him and shattered it. He is not a buffoon, he is potentially one of modern politics most aspirational and successful leaders.

He didn’t just win, he won historically. He showed yet again that fortune favours the brave. That people will not be messed around with, that democracy is to be held dear and delivered upon.  He did what Theresa May tried to do, but sadly got her timing wrong.

And like all great success stories, luck plays a part and Boris came along at the right time. Just after May had been weakened, just after she’d proved to be a slightly inept negotiator, just after everybody was so exasperatingly tired of being lied to and deceived, in walks Boris, takes no prisoners, treats the EU the way it deserved to be treated and desperately set about trying to get the British people to the polls.

And when he managed that, and they got their chance to unleash the fury, yet again all those who had been driven by arrogance blind will and dishonesty got handed what surely, if they hadn’t been so dismissive, would have seen coming a mile away: a landslide.

And so Britain sets sail. The Americans are talking up an FTA for this year, we are in line and so will every right minded nation looking to do business and advance their cause.

Labour, vanquished, despondent and in tatters, has a leadership race on, the result of which will determine whether they are out of office for 10 years, if not 15 or 20.

Apart from anything. Boris Johnson has shut the doubters up, has rewritten his countries future, and has now political capital to burn for years to come. Those who keep losing would do well to learn the lessons.

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you