Boris Johnson is the front-runner in the Conservative Party to succeed Theresa May as Prime Minister. He has held a multitude of jobs in his hyperactive life. He was first a journalist, writing for The Times, the Daily Telegraph, and The Spectator. He wrote about politics, society, culture; a man of many interests, for a time he even wrote a column on cars. He was an MP from 2001 to 2008 and again from 2015; he served two terms as the Mayor of London, from 2008 to 2016, cleaning up the moral squalor left by Ken Livingstone, who had claimed that Hitler originally supported Zionism; Johnson was the Foreign Secretary in Theresa May’s cabinet from 2016 to 2018, when he returned to Parliament as a backbencher.
He has a complicated and interesting ancestry. According to Wikipedia:
Johnson’s maternal grandfather was the lawyer Sir James Fawcett. Johnson’s paternal great grandfather was Circassian-Turkish journalist and political figure Ali Kemal, who served for three months as Minister of the Interior in the government of Damat Ferid Pasha, the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire. With unequalled passion, Kemal condemned the attacks on and massacres of the empire’s Armenians during the First World War and inveighed against the Ittihadist chieftains as the authors of that crime, relentlessly demanding their prosecution and punishment. Kemal was murdered during the Turkish War of Independence.
Kemal was the paternal grandfather of the British politician Stanley Johnson. On his maternal side Boris Johnson is of mixed English and French descent and is a descendant of King George II of Great Britain. Johnson’s mother was Charlotte Fawcett. An artist from a family of liberal intellectuals, she had married Stanley Johnson in 1963, prior to their move to the U.S. She is the granddaughter of Elias Avery Lowe, a palaeographer of Russian-Jewish descent, and Helen Tracy Lowe-Porter, a translator of Thomas Mann. In reference to his varied ancestry, Johnson has described himself as a “one-man melting pot” – with a combination of Muslims, Jews, and Christians as great-grandparents.
Not everyone finds Johnson appealing. Some people regard Johnson as having quite deliberately constructed a public persona as a rumpled, upper-class twit (educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford), which has allowed him to be consistently underrated by his political enemies, whom he then manages to run circles around; others think he is a tad too ambitious. And, of course, he also has his many admirers, whom he does not disappoint. Whatever the case, he has certainly climbed not one, but several greasy poles, rather nimbly.
Johnson has not had much to say about Islam, “but what there is is cherce.” He famously wrote in that he opposed banning veils, including burkas (he meant “niqabs”), in public. But he added that it was “absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes.” This enraged Muslims, and many others, who raked him over the coals for his insensitivity.
Baroness Warsi, a Muslim in the Conservative Party, said that “What offends me is that Muslim women [should not be] a convenient political football to be used by old Etonians.”
Johnson was then accused by others of “fanning the flames of Islamophobia” and described by Labour MPs as a “pound-shop Donald Trump.”
Stewart Wood, a Labour peer, said on Twitter: “The general view of Boris Johnson’s insulting remarks on Muslim women is that it betrays unthinking Islamophobia.”
Some of his Conservative colleagues, too, including Theresa May herself, asked him to apologize for the “letterbox” remark, which he refused to do. There was much huffing and puffing, but Johnson held his ground. It was not just a funny remark, but an apt description of the niqab (which Johnson had conflated with the burka) — and once you hear it, you cannot forget. “Letterboxes.” Of course, that’s exactly what they look like. In fact, the comedian Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean, Blackadder), said that it was a very funny and accurate remark, for which Johnson need not apologize. That did more for Johnson than any statements by his political friends. You don’t take issue with Mr. Bean.
Johnson has also been disturbed by what he has learned about Islamic texts. In 2005, he wrote an article in The Spectator about Muslims and their faith:
To any non-Muslim reader of the Koran, Islamophobia — fear of Islam — seems a natural reaction, and, indeed, exactly what that text is intended to provoke.
It is too bad that he described “Islamophobia” as “fear of Islam” instead of, more accurately, as an “irrational fear or hatred of Islam.” He ought to have added that the word was deliberately put into circulation in the 1970s, apparently first in Iran, to call into question all critics of Islam by labeling their criticism a manifestation of “Islamophobia.” He need only have written: “Muslims and their apologists have taken to charging all critics of Islam with ‘Islamophobia,’ that is, ‘an irrational fear or hatred of Islam and of Muslims.’ But to any non-Muslim reader of the Qur’an, it is perfectly rational to feel both fear and hatred of what is written in that book about Infidels.”
Judged purely on its scripture — to say nothing of what is preached in the mosques — it is the most viciously sectarian of all religions in its heartlessness towards unbelievers.
No other British politician from a major party has been as clear-headed about Islam as Johnson here shows himself to be. It is no wonder that Muslims in the Conservative Party, like Baroness Warsi, are threatening to leave it should Johnson become Prime Minister. He’s a threat — the Man Who Knows Too Much.
In the wake of the London bombings, Johnson also questioned the loyalty of British Muslims, and insisted that the country must accept that “Islam is the problem.”
It will take a huge effort of courage and skill to win round the many thousands of British Muslims who are in a similar state of alienation, and to make them see that their faith must be compatible with British values and with loyalty to Britain.
That means disposing of the first taboo, and accepting that the problem is Islam. Islam is the problem.
What is going on in these mosques and madrasas? When is someone going to get 18th century on Islam’s medieval ass?
Note that Johnson says that Muslims will have to change, will have to make their faith “compatible with British values and with loyalty to Britain,” and not that the British must change in any way. Hovering in the background is the question of what might happen if it turns out that Islam simply cannot be made “compatible with British values.”
Then there is Johnson’s enthusiasm for Israel. On a trip to that country, he made such pro-Israel remarks that scheduled meetings with both a Palestinian youth group and an organization of Palestinian businesswomen were cancelled, as a sign of their displeasure at Johnson’s denunciation of the BDS movement; a brief meeting with the Palestinian prime minister, Rami Hamdallah, did go ahead. What had Johnson done to earn such anger? During his three-day visit to Israel, he had repeatedly criticized the BDS movement’s calls for a boycott of Israeli goods, describing the campaign as “completely crazy” and promoted by a “few snaggle-toothed corduroy-wearing lefty academics.”
During his last trip to Israel, Johnson delivered the inaugural Winston Churchill speech in Jerusalem.
He said in that speech: “If we look at the history of modern Israel there is no doubt that the comparison [between Churchill and Israel] can be extended, and that there is something Churchillian about the country he helped to create. There is the audacity, the bravery, the willingness to take risks with feats of outrageous derring-do.”
As Foreign Secretary, Johnson has lashed out at the “preposterous” and “absurd” focus of the UN Human Rights Council on the Jewish state, labeling it “disproportionate and damaging to the cause of peace.”
Johnson has on one or two occasions been critical of Israel’s use of force. After several months of violence at Israel’s security fence with Gaza by Palestinians engaged in the Great March of Return, Johnson issued this statement: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of life in Gaza, where peaceful protesters are being exploited by extremists. I urge Israel to show restraint in the use of live fire.” Johnson had been wrongly informed. Israel had already been exhibiting extraordinary restraint in the use of force. Those rioters were hardly “peaceful protesters”; they were throwing large rocks, Molotov cocktails, kites, even grenades, at soldiers, and letting loose incendiary kites that would come to earth in Israel, where thousands of acres have burned up as a result. Occasionally the Palestinians fired guns. These were never “peaceful protesters.’
Nor did Johnson realize just how much restraint the Israelis were displaying, using rubber bullets and tear gas to discourage the rioters, constantly broadcasting warnings to stay away from the fence, and using live fire only against those who arrived too close to the security fence. The Israelis aimed to hit rioters below the knees, but those who managed not only to get to the fence but were in the process of breaching it, ignoring all the warnings being broadcast in Arabic from the Israeli side, and all the while lobbing deadly explosives at Israeli soldiers, could expect at that point to be met with deadly force.
Boris Johnson is deeply disturbed about Islam; he apparently has done what so very few politicians in the West have done — that is, he has read the Qur’an. His conclusion that “judged purely on its scripture — to say nothing of what is preached in the mosques — it is the most viciously sectarian of all religions in its heartlessness towards unbelievers” is unassailable and bracing in its accuracy. If he continues in this vein as Prime Minister, he may yet undo the damage done by several of his predecessors, since the days of Tony Blair, in their solicitousness toward Muslims.
Johnson admires Israel — keep those words in mind — for its “audacity, its bravery, its willingness to take risks with feats of outrageous derring-do.” He repeatedly denounces the BDS movement, and mocks it as full of corduroy-jacketed academics” of a leftward bent.
In short, when it comes to Islam and to Israel, Boris Johnson, who behind his smokescreen of japes has shown himself to be a much more serious student of Islam than, for example, Tony Blair, who claimed he carried a Qur’an around with him. It was not Blair, but Johnson who has actually read the Qur’an, for god’s sake. Boris Johnson, that “one-man melting pot,” is ready for his closeup. Let’s hope he gets the chance.
mortimer says
British understatement at work! When an Englishman says something is ‘rather good’, he means ‘I love that!’ If he says, ‘Leaves somewhat to be desired’, he means that it’s absurd, crazy, dangerous or reprehensible.
Boris fired a shot over the bow. If the Islamist crypto-jihadists don’t start leaving UK now, they will regret it later.
somehistory says
Good for Mr. Johnson. And thank you, Mr. Fitzgerald, for the interesting information on this man.
The warsi woman’s statement, ““What offends me is that Muslim women [should not be] a convenient political football to be used by old Etonians.”….could be used against the entire ***use*** to make Mr Johnsosn’s point. moslim women use the veiling “letterboxes” politically to get their way, to stomp on the rights of others.
Madeleine Dunn says
I think it says in one of the hadiths that when Mo told the women they needed to cover themselves when they came outside again they all looked like “they had crows on their heads” – so to be fair, the look of these hijabs was ridiculous from the very beginning. But as always, nothing but the truth is forbidden in Islam.
mortimer says
Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu’minin: When the verse “That they should cast their outer garments over their persons” was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing outer garments.
Sunan Abu Dawud 32:4090
Dafydd says
This article makes some interesting and informative points but is undermined by a blatant and shameful pro-Israeli bias.
Martin says
Maybe you’re reading a site that is wrong for your tastes. Maybe the third-rate (and that’s a genuine complement), UK-based, pro-Islam site “5Pillars” would be more to your liking:
https://5pillarsuk.com
gravenimage says
Perhaps Dafydd would like to see Muslims destroy civilized, democratic Israel–that is certainly their goal.
Buraq says
Boris’ heart is in the right place. It’s his thoughtless remarks that make him seem like a loose cannon on deck. For example, Boris told MPs in 2017 that Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman imprisoned by the Iranian government, had been in Iran “teaching people journalism” – despite her family’s insistence that she was simply visiting relatives. This gaffe gave the psycho-clerics in Tehran all the ammo they needed to claim she was spying.
Boris is a likable buffoon, but he could be a liability in certain situations that require tact, or even a diplomatic silence.
Kepha says
If Johnson becomes PM, it will be interesting to see how he and another “shoot from the lip” leader, namely Trump, get along.
Martin says
They’d love each other. It would be a Transatlantic Bromance.
Ned Kelly says
Trump, the man half the western world wish was their leader, Yes, I hope they have MUCH in common, BLESS THEM BOTH.
gravenimage says
Kepha, here is this:
“Trump backs Boris Johnson”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/01/trump-backs-boris-johnson-tory-leadership-calls-duchess-sussex-nasty
“The president, speaking to the British newspaper before he visits the UK on Monday, expressed support for the former foreign secretary in his bid to replace Theresa May, saying: ‘I think Boris would do a very good job. I think he would be excellent’.”
gravenimage says
All this is true, Buraq–but I cannot think of anyone better right now who has a chance at 10 Downing Street. Britons could do a *lot* worse–and have.
semiold says
buraq(borak?) To hell with tact, it’s time for tactless truth! God bless Boris Johnson and protect him from evil! The evil that is islam.
DP111 says
Loose cannons have their place in war. In this war, along with Pres Trump, we could just have a winning team.
Carol the 1st says
Finally someone to compete with Islam’s zaniness. Boris sounds like a really cool change!:
Cool Change Little River Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bKwRW0l-Qk
jewdog says
Notice that his name is Boris, русское имя, pretty unusual for a Limey, no? I think he represents the finest tradition of Britain, the country that gave America our common law and enlightened values, as well as the finest statesman and human being ever, Winston Churchill. Having him at the helm will mean a huge boost in prestige for Britain as well as keeping an ally intact; maybe forestalling its transformation into Pakistan on the Thames. I hope he makes it.
Jayell says
‘Pakistan on Thames’ – brilliant! But don’t forget the Islamic Republic of Tower Hamlets, which is already as good as with us.
R Russell says
Jewdog, some of Boris’ antecedents were Turkish and Muslim……
Some might see that as a problem. Others might see it as a man with more background information than the other candidates. He also has a brother who is a politician – and a Remainer.
Same upbringing but different outcomes.
ntesdorf says
Boris Johnson’s remarks about Muslim women wearing the Niqab is absolutely accurate as a physical description. It shows a good deal of Islmaorealism.
Jayell says
“It will take a huge effort of courage and skill…… to make (British muslims) see that their faith must be compatible with British values and with loyalty to Britain. That means disposing of the first taboo, and accepting that the problem is Islam. Islam is the problem. ”
I don’t remember Boris making this quote, but no doubt quite a few of an islamic or islamomanic persuasion no doubt do. Which probably explains the stupid, hysterical outburst from the muslim Tory party member who called Mr Johnson a ‘nazi’ ‘and said he’d leave the party if he was elected leader, and also the recent ‘domestic incident’ attempt at a stitch-up concocted by a couple of (no doubt islam-loving) left-wing idiots who seem to have fooled the rest of the British idiots in all parties. So, for the time being at least, muslims in the UK (I won’t say ‘British muslims’ because that’s an implied oxymoron) are content with simply assassinating people’s characters when they won’t play ball with them. The day will no doubt come when we wake up to news of heads impaled on the gates of Downing Street. Let’s hope it won’t be Mr. Johnson’s.
Michael Copeland says
“Letterbox ladies!” is what Pat Condell heard a small child say to its mother, when passing women in niqabs. There was nothing pejorative in the child’s description. and he found it rather charming.
Raja says
Great artilce by Hugh. Great to know about Boris Johnson. Thank God he is clear headed and well informed about Islam. I wonder how he got pipped by Theresa May in the earlier round of contest for the PM Chair.
Keya says
Covered muslimas do look like letterboxes. Why is the baroness pissed off!
Raja says
If an outsider with 2% chance of winning can become the POTUS and still do a decent job this man can do equally good job as PM of UK. I hope he does not fall for block votes of Muslims which could be his waterloo considering that the wind is blowing for populists. across Europe.
WPM says
Boris Johnson might have the guts ,balls and brains to pull England out of its suicide high dive into a Sharia law control country.
R Russell says
WPM,
I hope he takes all of the UK out, not just England
Tom says
While Johnson may play the buffoon, he really is a very shrewd politician. He reminds me of Winston Churchill in both his manner and wit.
He is the type of leader Britain needs at this time in its history.
Jodie barbash says
Regarding face coverings; I think that it is imperative that they be outlawed for reasons of security. Boris Johnson’s not thinking this is necessary I think shows weakness on his part. In addition, I think instead of talking about Islam, it would be most effective to enforce current laws against bigamy, blocking streets, loud calls to mosque etc that go against our values. Re immigration; why on earth would it be unreasonable to change groups that settle in one’s country using crime statistics etc as a guide? And send back illegal immigrants. No need to denigrate the religion. Taking practical measures against aspects of the religion that go against our laws and civil rights is more practical. It must be done.
Angemon says
Oh, that’s gonna cost him the muslim vote. Just kidding – they’re Labour until someone out anti-semites them…
Paul says
He’s an upper class wanker.
Describing him as a buffoon is being polite.
He will screw up everything and Corbyn will be in with his own agenda. Everything in reverse.
Paul
WPM says
1-“He,s a upper class wanker”
Everyone who became P.M. of England for the last 25 years was a upper class wanker.
2-“Describing him as a buffoon is being polite”
The last two PM of England were great Moslem appeasing buffoons could the country survive a three Moslem appeasing buffoon?
3-“He will screw up everything and Corbyn will be in with his own agenda, everything in reverse”
Re-check one and two
So Boris Johnson will become a not my PM Paul? In the same vein as President Trump not my president crowd insuring he will be re-elected again like President Trump because of the idiot display the not my president crowd has display over the last two and half years of screaming , rioting, stating that their feelings over ride facts ,that they only have the right to free speech.
Tom says
Fear not Paul even the left leaning Brits have learned that a vote for Corbyn’s Labour Party is a vote for dictatorial quasi Communism and Islamic Sharia Law.
Corbyn is an empty vessel and as with all empty vessel’s they make the most noise.
Newly released research has found that most of the younger generation are more Conservative in their thinking than previous generations. This is a trend that has been taking place for a few decades, with a greater percentage of each generation becoming conservative.
The days of the left wing globalist agenda of mass migration from mostly muslim countries is ending.
The upcoming generation of conservative thinking voters and potential leaders will ensure that happens.
R Russell says
The globalists are already getting their claws into Boris’ attempt to be PM. They are vilifying him as they vilify Trump.
Now there is another problem – he speaks the truth about Israel and Islam.
Oh Dear!
gravenimage says
Boris Johnson Impressed with Israel, Thinks Islam Leaves Much to be Desired
………………………..
Boris Johnson is far from perfect in his understanding of the Jihad threat–but he is *far* better than anyone else who has a realistic shot at becoming Prime Minister.
Jan Disher says
Interesting pedigree. I didn’t really like Boris when he was London’s mayor. However, after looking into him a bit more, I now like him. He will be good for Britain (and Europe) as the next PM. At least, he will make it interesting.
Marigold says
Thankyou very much for the excellent and fair analysis of Boris Johnson.The first thing he should do if he becomes prime minister is propose a ban on the ridiculous garment he said made women look like letterboxes because that is in fact what they do look like – walking letterboxes.They have no place at all in Britain or any other open faced society.
Judith Harding says
Thanks, Hugh, for introducing me to a man, Boris Johnson, that I should have known more about than I did. This article was an excellent tutor. Also, I can’t help but comment on how prolific and well-researched are your many writings. God bless you and yours.
gravenimage says
Hear, hear, Judith!