Page 1 of Boris Johnson Comments

Hello,

What are people`s view on the Boris Johnson`s comments about Liverpudlians ?
I`m not sure what context they were said in, so I`m not sure if they were said in jest(if anyone can jest about such subjects!)

Whatever he actually said, what point do you think he was trying to make? Personally I can`t see any purpose or reason for these statements, other than to alienate a community....

I would be interested to hear other peoples views on it.

Neil.

My mate at work was disgusted - he`s actually from Wallasey, but he was very offended by the comments, particularly the uncalled-for Hillsborough crap he came out with.

He really is a gormless sod sometimes... >:( (Boris, not my mate...)

===========================

Clayts, Moderator, DVD Reviewer
UK webmaster for Area 450 the independent Sampo/Maxent DVD site

This item was edited on Wednesday, 20th October 2004, 19:35

I`ve always thought he was a muppet, now I just think he is a complete twat.

At least we know who`s going to be the next UK Ambassador to Iraq. ;)

J Mark Oates

Sad thing is, hes the closet thing the conservatives have to a personality. A bizzare person who looks like Mat Lucas in a wig.

And its not like there are a lot of conservative votes to lose in Liverpool ;)

What is the point of apologising anyway? He still believes the crap he spouts regardless so it`s just another bloody insult if you ask me!! Nobody asked me?.....Right I`ll go then!

Oh...and he`s not quite reached the complete twat status just yet....Ok, Ok I`m going! ;)

There`s no denying that Boris Johnson`s comments were crass and that an apology was needed. However, the general theme - that Liverpool is the capital of self-pity - is not a new one, and you can find many commentators who`ve aired this view over the last twenty or so years. The `reasoning` is that most towns and cities that became rich in the industrial revolution (e.g. Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds) have hit on hard times in the last thirty or so years. However, whilst Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester et al have tried hard to reinvent themselves and improve their image, Liverpool, it`s argued, continues to wallow in `why aren`t things like the old days?` without making any attempt to get off its backside and do something. This is exacerbated by the fact that until a few years ago, if you were doing a gritty TV drama or film about how tough it was in the deprived inner cities, it seemed to be a legal requirement that it was set in Liverpool - apparently nowhere else had unemployment and of course there`s the legendary Scouse humour (equal parts insolence and admitting to being thick).

Of course a large part of this is rubbish, but dear old Boris was in part only repeating a stereotype that a lot of others have aired over the years.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 20th October 2004, 20:07

Quote:
but dear old Boris was in part only repeating a stereotype that a lot of others have aired over the years.

On second thoughts perhaps BJ has reached complete twat status!! ;)

I didn`t actually read the Spectator article in question, but I gather that the general gist of it was about the culture of blame in society today, and about risk and sentimentality. (I`m guessing the thrust of it was that Ken Bigley knew the risks when he took his well-paid job in Iraq and accepted them).

His mistake was to start generalising about Hillsborough and getting his facts wrong......

From what I understand, he didn`t actually write the article - although as editor he would have to approve it.

This space for sale





. <--- Except this bit, its mine.