Sparked by some recent media articles I've been thinking about the appeal of our Prime Minister and the difficulty opponents have in taking him on. My thinking is he has turned his biggest weakness, as a bringer of chaos, into a strength. (1/7)
Firstly, lets admit Johnson has star quality. Many politicians have charisma in private settings, thats why they get to be successful in that field. Fewer can pull it off through TV as he can. Blair could, Cameron to an extent. Johnson in spades. A great showman. (2/7)
Johnson also has a gift for communicating simply in words, surprisingly hard for many politicians. Levelling up, build back better. But he also communicates well non-verbally, seems sympathetic. It doesn't have to be genuine for people to think he's on their side. (3/7)
The simplistic words serve to disguise that there is a vision behind them, because Johnson will know the English in particular are suspicious of grand schemes. But Johnson wants to be a historic transformational leader. Brexit is his big opportunity. (4/7)
But Johnson also wants to be loved and that stops him making the big decisions. He leans towards a simplistic almost childlike view particularly of international relations. And he thinks what he says should go, and opposition is baffling or an insult (Blair also had this). (5/7)
The result of these characteristics is a sense of almost permanent chaos, which, in a brilliant twist, Johnson then embraces. That's the Trumpian bit of being at the centre of the story, but with more gusto and optimism. It isn't as much baked in, as he's good at it. (6/7)
Given low trust in the ability of governments to deliver, the optimistic show that Johnson puts on is better (by far) than any alternative on offer in England. Perhaps if more people thought there was a personal cost or better offer - but they don't. Question - can it last? (7/7)
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