The most interesting thing about Boris Johnson is his reputation. Despite his own ancestry Johnson offers a return to a world of the "silly ass (as in donkey, not bum) Englishman" of Wodehouse, rather than tragic Waugh. In some senses he is not a political figure at all but a one person a re-enactment society, breathing life into a dead stereotype like an actor. His popularity is based (I assume) on the fact that many are tired of PC controls and the correctness of this or that thought, speech or action. Johnson would probabaly claim not to know what PC stands for (Police Constable? Computer?), yet he is seen as funny and harmless, not unkind. The remark of left wing comedian Jeremy Hardy that Boris is the kind of bumbling Tory who would unhestitatingly round up people like Hardy and incarcerate them in a football stadium (not an idea which should be dismissed entirely) are fanciful and self dramatising. Johnson is always polite and charming, wherein lies his appeal. This is a case where loosing could be a very good career move, always provided Johnson looses by a mile. Winning would be a disaster, not least for Mr Johnson himself.

who would be quite happy to snipe at any thing vaguely rightwing but would overlook the fact that the left is not above interning people for no reason when it suits them.

It as always struck me as slightly odd that some British comics will proudly proclaim themselves to be leftwing, socialist or even communist and assume that they have carte blanche to attack the UK and the USA with their humour yet have a blind spot when it comes to the excesses of socialist countries.

The fact that the British people generally like Boris is no different from the the fact that they also like people such as Dennis Skinner, Red Ken Livingstone Alexis Sayle, Mark Steele and Mark Thomas.

In short anybody who has a bit of colour and gives the impression that they are not afraid to say what they think. PC or otherwise.

Why does 'steelbucket' follow me around on this site? Start your own thread, matey!