If Boris becomes PM, the country could be divided as the U.S
There are rumours swirling that former foreign secretary and pro-Brexit MP, Boris Johnson, is pursuing an internal coup against incumbent Theresa May. The divisiveness of Brexit and subsequent civil war that has engulfed the Conservative party has seen a dismal consensus on May’s premiership. With many voters complaining about a toxic political climate, the potential ascension of Boris Johnson to prime minister would only make matters far worse.
There are clear divisions now amongst the U.K electorate, but the country could descend into a calamitous culture war if Johnson ever fronted our government. Johnson, a former moderate voice in the Tory party during his tenure as Mayor of London, has now unleashed a harsher right-wing tone on British politics. His fervent anti-Brexit rhetoric has seen his ideology prosper with Trump-esque supporters.
In fact, Johnson and Donald Trump are attuned in their conservative ideals. Both espouse angry tirades to the media over the direction of their respective countries. Both enable hostility towards Muslim communities and refuse to apologise when expressing controversial views. Both are former soft centrist voices who have now played into the hands of the racist and alt-right underbellies of both the U.K and U.S. What is ensuing in American politics is dangerous, moribund and despairing for the many who vote. Like Trump, Johnson embodies the rich entitled white man image that spreads fear amongst his supporters but has little clue of how they live. The American debacle could set the scene for the U.K if we allow a man like Johnson to become the face of domestic and foreign policy issues.
The issue of Brexit itself is an important point to make when discussing Johnson’s hush-hush leadership plans. He campaigned vociferously for Leave, pushing through lies and using the establishment as a scapegoat to mobilise Leave voters. He clearly forgot to mention he himself is a member of the illicit establishment; an old Etonian who has used his family privilege to climb up the political ladder. He wreaked havoc on a referendum result that, three years on, shows no sign of allaying. Imagine if he became the chief negotiator for Britain leaving the EU. It is undoubtable that he would not prioritise issues of workers’ rights, immigration and trade tariffs. Why would he when he sits on a pot of wealth complicit whilst the rest of Britain struggles with the effects of austerity. Not only would he risk damaging an unstable economy further, he would completely alienate the 48% of people who voted for Britain to remain an EU state.
If Johnson embarks on a leadership campaign to topple May, it is easy to assume the Conservative party would plunge into turmoil. It is alleged that many Tory MPs would have no qualms quitting and joining the expanding splinter group of independents on the side lines. If Johnson is appointed prime minister, a country so desperate for centre ground cross-party politics to return would be in jeopardy. A government in waiting can not succumb to the tendencies of a hate-fuelled Trumpian style of politics that lives across the pond.
