Boris says awesome things...

Boriswatch has not been unaffected by the storm that was Boris And The Liverpudlians. Take for instance, the 3412 visitors that turned up on the site, courtesy of a link on the Guardian weblog and a screenshot on BBC News 24 yesterday afternoon. Then your humble Boriswatch editor was contacted by Sky News, wanting to trundle a TV truck down to capture my comments. And finally, Boriswatch’s mailbox was inundated with media agencies after my comments about the day’s events. I didn’t furnish any of them with a soundbite – there was no need to perpetuating Boris’s bad day. Luckily, it was all too late by the time I had called them back – I would probably have made a tremendous hash of it anyway.
It was just an inkling of the media demands on a figure like Boris – and I don’t envy him.

Well, the media storm, with any luck, has passed. Today a prostrate Boris, still plainly suffering from his well-discussed flu, endured a Liverpool who really didn’t want him there.
I’ve no idea if Boris takes an interest in this site, although I know that those close to him do. But I would hope he knows that the great majority of those that have commented on this have been supportive of either the main thrust of the leader article, or the right to free speech. Take the BBC News “Your Views” section, where hundreds almost exclusively backed Boris Johnson. Take the comments on the two (one, two) most recent posts on Boris-Johnson.com, where the comments are again almost exclusively in support of Boris.
Your Boriswatch host has been sifting through the media available from his visit, and I can say with certainty that Boris couldn’t have done any better. The most telling piece is his radio interview (available to watch on this BBC page, about thirty lines down). The first worrysome part: when Boris said that Michael Howard was wrong to criticise the piece in it’s entirety, and carried on to say that Howard had “plainly not read it properly”. This is either the sign of a defiant Boris who knows that his political job is safe, or a sign that Boris and Howard are not the best of friends.
The second moment was when Paul Bigley, Ken’s brother, called in. Now, for the second time in as many days I may get a little controversial. Of course the whole Bigley saga was awful to watch, and must have been infinitely worse for his family. Paul Bigley will have gone through Hell during that time, and deserves our sympathy. However, that does not exclude him from any criticism. His comments on the show were a disgrace, and bordered on schoolground bullying. He called him a “self-centred, pompous idiot”, before belittling Boris about his appearance and waffling manner. Self-centred? Evidence please. And also, while you’re at it, evidence for how his appearance and waffling manner have in any way ruined Boris’s popularity.
Paul Bigley has let his emotions cloud his words, and has given the media a soundbite to attack Boris with. He has also handed the Prime Minister, a man whose decisions have led to Ken Bigley’s death, a golden opportunity to trample over the brightest rising star on the opposition benches. As a forum poster commented, “I hope it made [Paul] feel better.”
The end of the radio phone-in saw a downcast Boris, saying the “maybe Paul Bigley was right, that I should disappear”. I trust, Boris, that you are joking. By all means have a rest – you need it – but we need a colourful, witty and intelligent public figure to brighten up our screens, and you’re just the man. Get well soon – and don’t let the b*stards get you down.

It’s been a few days since the metaphorical lynching of our dear Boris, and many of the kneejerk reactions will now have been put to rest. The visits to Boriswatch have increased threefold, the comments and forum posts on Boriswatch have been measured and considered, and all in all Boris seems to have a lot more support both here and on other websites than is being reported.
On top of the Boriswatch input, I’ve found that people – both who I know and who are complete strangers to me – have asked my opinion on Boris’s faux pas, and also on his future. It seems that many care what happens to Boris, such is his support. I’ve wondered whether I should put my thoughts in writing – mainly because I see so many ill-informed people recklessly giving opinions, and I didn’t really want to become another one. But, I thought as I lay back and sipped my cocoa, I run Boriswatch, and I have a duty to update and provoke discussion. So, for what it’s worth, I thought I’d stick my oar in, put my thoughts to paper and spout forth, with one proviso – that, like many others who have commented publicly on the issue, I don’t know Boris. I’ve no idea of the extraneous factors that may be involved. I’ve no idea what it’s like to be an editor, an MP or a media personality, least of all all three. But I think I know what the public thinks – and they will ultimately decide Boris’s fate.
Boris has enjoyed huge success in all areas of his career, causing more than a few jealous detractors in the media and in politics. He is feted by many for higher things – and this is based not only on his obvious intelligence. He has an ability to talk a great deal of common sense, and convey his thoughts in a way that both entertains and informs. This in itself is a rare talent.
But his journalistic genius is at odds with political life. The two professions have, to put it mildly, a history. Journalists comment on politicians; the two should, by rights, be mutually exclusive. Boris has managed magnificently to balance the two careers he holds most dear. He has stumbled. From now on The Spectator, a publication always meant to enrage and inform, will be constantly monitored by opponents for further transgressions. That cannot be good for Boris or for the freedom of The Spectator.
I have no doubt that Boris will bounce back. The outpouring of support in response to Liverpudlian attacks of the last few days goes to show that many people believe in him. He is frankly the best prospect the Conservative Party has, and let’s face it, if any politician is likely to survive a public mauling it’s Boris. As he said a few days ago, “I’m simultaneously clinging on and coming out fighting.” The public on the whole love him, and the odd transgression is more than countered by the pleasure and common-sense he has put forward over the years. He is widely acknowledged as a shining light in two professions with dull and mendacious reputations, and for that the whole country should salute him. I, for one, would love him to continue as he always has, being a popular media figure and using that to liven up the political spectrum.
There’s been talk in the media that he cannot possibly be giving his multitude of jobs their full attention. I disagree. All areas of his career were blossoming before this episode, and he has proved himself a very able man. In a few months, he’ll be back as big as ever. But after the embers of this episode have died down, one simple, blunt question remains – a question that I and countless others really hate to ask. In the current politically correct climate, can Boris continue to ride two horses with one arse? I hope he can – but this has made it just that little bit more difficult.
UPDATE: Boris responds to the Spectator article on his website

Has Boris stepped in his first muddy puddle? The Spectator’s editorial today highlights the “wallowing” pity Liverpudlians are currently in over the fate of Ken Bigley, and many consider the views are beyond the pale. Boris has always spoken his mind, for right or for wrong. The Scotsman comes out with all guns blazing in this article, hinting that Boris’s political days are numbered. Even Tory leader Michael Howard has denounced the article. However, it seems that in fact many agree with Boris and the comments left by visitors to this BBC article tell a different story. The majority of commenters support Boris, and feel that again he has spoken for the silent majority. There’s further support at Boris-Johnson.com. Is this just a case of “the truth hurts”?
I’ll leave the final word to one of those commenters, K. Georges from Liverpool itself: “Just because you don’t agree with his views doesn’t mean he should resign. Whatever happened to freedom of speech?” Quite.

Wow, I go away for a week (Gran Canaria, and boy am I burnt…), and you should see the stack of emails on my return! Currently ploughing through them, but here’s a couple of responses:
1. Boris’s new book – I read it on holiday. It was simply brilliant. A little-publicised feature is that the entire book takes place over a time period of four hours. If you can make a book entertaining while describing a four-hour time period, you’ve got my vote.
2. Boris on Any Questions (direct audio link here) – he was gooooooood. He erred on the side of sensible rather than jokey (apart from the classic “errr, what was the question?” and the Kojak episode…), and came out astonishingly well… Good on you, Boris, you PM in the making you…
UPDATE: The Kojak episode, in all its unremitting glory, is here. Download and treasure it.
3. Max Hastings on Boris (Daily Mail) – Yep, you’re right, Boriswatch reader Jon – if Max thinks it’s possible for Boris to be Leader of the Conservatives, then who are we to say no? If Boris can mantain the impression he gave at Any Questions, there’s no telling what may happen.
Right, on with the rest of the emails…