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Johnson fans say that ‘He's nothing like Trump’, says @peterkyle But ask yourself why aren’t friends of Angela Merkel or Emanuel Macron saying they’re nothing like Trump? The answer is simple, they don’t need to point out the obvious. With Boris Johnson it isn't so obvious.
As evidence of Trumpism in the Tory party he cites
1/ Trump and Johnson, are dismissed as frivolous jokers, lightweights, until they actually get elected. We didn’t take them seriously or read enough importance into the early warning signs.
1/ Trump and Johnson, are dismissed as frivolous jokers, lightweights, until they actually get elected. We didn’t take them seriously or read enough importance into the early warning signs.
2/ We need to think carefully when judges are called ‘enemies of the people’; when key jobs across government are handed out to friends, donors and incompetents; and when government acts unlawfully.
3/When parliament is diminished and people with maverick extreme views are shoved into the House of Lords or the Commons shut-down; and when lawyers are dismissed as ‘do-good lefties’ for giving representation to the marginalised.
4/ Judicial review - the only mechanism you have as a citizen to use the courts to ensure government acts lawfully - is attacked and scaled back. The prime minister’s office promises a ‘hard rain’ against the civil service.
5/ Ministers are appointed without heed to competence, only loyalty. Misleading parliament and public is excused, forgiven or worse, encouraged.
Peter was struck by one incident, which says it all. He was in the Commons, when his friend the Labour MP @paulasherriff, who faces repeated threats, begged Johnson to tone down his use of language like ‘surrender’ and ‘traitors’.
Johnson's response was to turn his back, flick his hand, and call her concerns ‘humbug’. He concludes that "These are the nods and winks that populist leaders give to their avid followers to keep them angry and motivated.'
I said much the same in the Observer on Sunday https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/09/gove-and-co-were-once-thrilled-to-be-close-to-trump-now-see-them-run
And I should have said, @peterkyle's piece is on Facebook here!
https://www.facebook.com/179475262226184/posts/1743226365851058/
https://www.facebook.com/179475262226184/posts/1743226365851058/
