Boris Johnson to campaign to leave the EU

[JC Footy Genius]

Good news for whom, exactly? I think it will be the end of his political career.

Good news for the Vote Leave campaign he is a formidable campaigner and has broad electoral appeal beyond the usual defined party lines. I see the bookies have already shortened the odds for Brexit after his announcement.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Good news for the Vote Leave campaign he is a formidable campaigner and has broad electoral appeal beyond the usual defined party lines. I see the bookies have already shortened the odds for Brexit after his announcement.

I was just implying that Sir Albion seemed to be assuming that everyone is on the same wavelength as him or of the same opinion.

"This is Good News" is an absolute statement. Personally, I don't think it is good news.

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

If he stands behind Cameron and the government he gets a cabinet position when his Mayoral tenure comes to an end and gets a chance to establish himself as a serious leadership contender.

The route he has taken is extremely risky as the smart money is on us staying in.If this happens he will most likely remain a back bench MP marginalised although his support amongst the grass roots will be increased.

Damned as opportunistic if he goes for either camp. I think he has genuine concerns about the EU which he developed over several years working in Brussels as a correspondent.

Up until about half five I'd have agreed with you. I reckon the smart money is on out at the moment.

Boris might be seen as an amiable buffoon but his political acumen and instinct are legendary.

I honestly think that he has put his chips on out because he believes it's the right bet. Dave is looking pretty friendless at the moment.

 

[Hampster Gull]

Up until about half five I'd have agreed with you. I reckon the smart money is on out at the moment.

Boris might be seen as an amiable buffoon but his political acumen and instinct are legendary.

I honestly think that he has put his chips on out because he believes it's the right bet. Dave is looking pretty friendless at the moment.

He has Corbyn and co

And the vast majority of the cabinet

And our European friends

 

[JC Footy Genius]

My question is this. Why doesn't any true self respecting British man or women want their country's sovereignty back, their country's ability to govern themselves and their country's ability to trade with the rest of the world. It just baffles the brain how some people are content with being dictated to by a bunch of unelected fools. Roll on independence day 23rd June

Nicely put.

 

[JC Footy Genius]

He has Corbyn and co

And the vast majority of the cabinet

And our European friends

Don't forget Big business and the Yanks!

 

[Hampster Gull]

Don't forget Big business and the Yanks!

Yes, them too

And graduates

And nyone ho doesnt want to see the Uk powerbase decline even further post its empire shrinkage

 

[abc]

With respect; that's some of the most sanctimonious BS I've read on here. You TRUST Cameron, Corbyn and Sturgeon. Right you do.

No, what you mean is - You want to stay in (that's not your fault), and as they agree with you, you can trust them. But, anyone who doesn't agree with your view, you can't trust.

There you go. Cleared that up for you.

Thank you for speaking for me, but actually your wrong. And why sanctimonious BS? I simply dont trust Boris Johnson. I believe he is only interested in furthering his own political career and will claim to support any cause to do so. Whilst I have very different opinions on each of Cameron, Corbyn and Sturgeon and what they stand for, I think they all generally are reasonably principled in the views they hold - regardless of whther I happen to agree with them. It would be impossible for anyone to agree with all of their views so your theory falls down.

 

[JC Footy Genius]

I was just implying that Sir Albion seemed to be assuming that everyone is on the same wavelength as him or of the same opinion.

"This is Good News" is an absolute statement. Personally, I don't think it is good news.

Fair do's. I think it is good for democracy to have substantial political figures arguing for Brexit.

 

[JC Footy Genius]

Yes, them too

And graduates

And nyone ho doesnt want to see the Uk powerbase decline even further post its empire shrinkage

Sorry can't allow the last one purely subjective/non factual.

 

[Triggaaar]

But even if he was personally deciding on Out, this is a hell of a challenge to Cameron, and the timing of his announcement, on the eve of Cameron's statement to the Commons, is a huge kick in the teeth for the PM, a hugely provocative thing to do.

So, although Boris thinks the best thing for the UK is to leave the EU, he should vote against what he believes in so as not to be provocative?

Is there any way to interpret this other than a pure naked political challenge?

Yes, he thinks the UK are better off out of the EU.

 

[Hampster Gull]

Sorry can't allow the last one purely subjective/non factual.

 

[vegster]

Vegster wasn't actually commenting on the success of Boris Johnson's career to date, he was merely commenting on where his decision today might lead. Your comment is therefore a bit of a non-sequitur.

Indeed I was ! Merci !

 

[vegster]

My question is this. Why doesn't any true self respecting British man or women want their country's sovereignty back, their country's ability to govern themselves and their country's ability to trade with the rest of the world. It just baffles the brain how some people are content with being dictated to by a bunch of unelected fools. Roll on independence day 23rd June

I won't have that, Nigel Farage may be a fool but amazingly, he WAS elected an MEP.

 

[GT49er]

Yes, them too

And graduates

And nyone ho doesnt want to see the Uk powerbase decline even further post its empire shrinkage

Oy! Don't include us graduates in your stereoyyped groupings!

 

[Triggaaar]

Come off it. How much time does a senior Conservatuve politician need to make up on an issue which has dominated the Tories for decades? It's blatant opportunism. He's doing what he thinks will give him the best chance of being the next Tory leader.

This is such absolute shit. If he was choosing what would be best for his chance of becoming leader, he could have announced his decision on Friday night or on Saturday. It's not like he was unaware of the possible options DC might take.

We could have exactly the same discussion about every politician and why they've chosen which campaign to back. All the matters is that we listen to the arguments on both sides and vote in the way we think best.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think I'll vote out. I don't know how much it will effect our trade and that is my main concern. I am not at all worried about security, it's not like the EU will want us to be attacked by terrorists, and not want us to share information with them, and Russia aren't going to attack the UK.

What I do know, is that if we stay with the EU, I'll spend the rest of my life moaning about how they keep making bad decisions that are detrimental to our country, and that they don't care what we think.

 

[Triggaaar]

Up until about half five I'd have agreed with you. I reckon the smart money is on out at the moment.

It's 2/1 against out. We can't judge who is smart and who isn't, but more money is on us staying in. We will probably stay in, and it would have been even more likely if Boris joined the in camp.

Look at what Boris has said in the past, he's not just decided that the EU isn't working.

 

[London Irish]

I'm genuinely astonished at Johnson's decision - must be the greatest piece of luck Corbyn has had since elected leader. The Tories will spend the next 4 months going into the May elections and London mayor tearing themselves apart over the issue that sent Thatcher to her political grave. It was all being relatively competently managed by the Blair of the right, Cameron with a load of PR bullshite and spin that the press were largely buying but looks like the pig ****er's luck has at last run out. Not before time.

 

[larus]

Thank you for speaking for me, but actually your wrong. And why sanctimonious BS? I simply dont trust Boris Johnson. I believe he is only interested in furthering his own political career and will claim to support any cause to do so. Whilst I have very different opinions on each of Cameron, Corbyn and Sturgeon and what they stand for, I think they all generally are reasonably principled in the views they hold - regardless of whther I happen to agree with them. It would be impossible for anyone to agree with all of their views so your theory falls down.

Ahh, Sturgeon. Yes, that towering colossus from North of the Border who was happy to have a "Once In A Generation" poll on independence - UNTIL SHE LOST. A real person of integrity who you can TRUST.

All politicians are liars and are in it for themselves. I don't belive any of them. I happen to like Boris as he isn't stage managed. He has no problem making a "fool" of himself, but is a lot smarter than he persona portrays.

I want out but I'm not going to make pithy statements on trusting Gove, Johnson, Farage, Galloway et al. However, Farage has constantly stated that the EU does not work, is undemocratic and unaccountable (and no-one can deny the facts in his denigration of the EU Paliament). So, I am in the out camp but I won't give pathetic retorts as to TRUSTING some MP's and not others because they happen to be on my side.

 

[larus]

I'm genuinely astonished at Johnson's decision - must be the greatest piece of luck Corbyn has had since elected leader. The Tories will spend the next 4 months going into the May elections and London mayor tearing themselves apart over the issue that sent Thatcher to her political grave. It was all being relatively competently managed by the Blair of the right, Cameron with a load of PR bullshite and spin that the press were largely buying but looks like the pig ****er's luck has at last run out. Not before time.

Maybe, maybe not. However, they could make Gove and IDS the leader/chancellor and Corbyn would still stand as much chance of winning the next election as Monica Lewinsky being invited for Thanksgiving at the Clintons.