Thread by @trevorw1953

Spectacular piece by Anthony Seldon. A #MustRead
The damage Boris Johnson has done is beyond measure
Britain has been left weaker by a prime minister who demeaned its institutions and sullied all those who came into his orbit
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thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-…

'Boris Johnson’s latest protestations of foul play, calumny and dastardly scheming are all of a piece with his actions throughout his life. All are the product of his deep character flaws.'

'But second, his inner emptiness made it imperative for him always to be the centre of attention, craving affirmation and breaking truth and convention to achieve it.'

'Finally, a total absence of moral compass, seriousness or ability to see anything or anyone as more than fodder to be expended for his own gratification, pleasure and career.'

'People, causes and institutions would be embraced with enthusiasm for as long as they were useful to him, then spat out. Not a single person whom he encountered in his life outside his family has not been cheapened or damaged by their association with him.'

'Johnson demands phenomenal loyalty from those who come into his orbit. But he shows no loyalty back professionally or in his private relationships. Good people are dragged down because of the moral compromises he forces them into. All are sullied.'

'Politicians, aides and officials whom we spoke to for the book attest to the fact that he was quite incapable of telling truth from falsehood: that “he lied morning, noon and night” was a regular lament.'

'No prime minister in history has ever been so shunned by his fellow premiers. In this regard he resembles Donald Trump, whose behaviour disgusts all living presidents.'

'The damage that Johnson has done to the country is beyond measure. Has any prime minister done so much harm? Covid-19 was the most serious crisis to hit Britain since the Second World War.'

'He ran the government as if he were the wayward manager of an amateur theatre company, full of histrionics, changes of mind and cliques.'

'Johnson’s legacy is a pale shadow of what it might have been. Two ethics advisers departed because of him, and he changed the rules governing ethics in public life. He demeaned the civil service, parliament, government, universities, the judiciary and the media.'

'He left the country weaker economically and in its standing abroad, and with the Union weaker. He made Brexit happen, but did nothing significant to achieve any benefits. It was all piffle and bluster.'

'Still he wants to return to power and do yet more damage in the process. His vanity will not let him realise what is clear to all: his moral and psychological failings have already inflicted damage enough.'

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