Boris is ‘Britain’s Trump’ is Bollocks!

​Not content with predicting the imminent self-mutilation and demise of Britain, mainstream media in America and across Europe is trying to further sabotage the country by tarring Boris with the Trump brush.
On a superficial level it is fair to say that they both have a mop of blond mane, although it should be noted that while Trump’s comb over is carefully manicured, Boris deliberately dishevels his hair before going on camera. They also share a history of being profligate philanderers, of being loose with the truth (unfortunately a common mark among many politicians these days) and of being the preferred anti-establishment candidate.
On a more serious level, it is also true that both engage in the dangerous habit of race baiting; although while Trump has few ‘get out of jail cards’ to play on this accusation, Boris can legitimately claim to being a successful satirical writer and commentator. Jousting in verbal imagery like referring to the niqab as a “letterbox”, joyous excitable African children welcoming the Queen as “smiling piccaninnies” and frequenters of a notorious London homosexual nightclub as “tank-topped bum boys is clearly designed to engage readers rather than deliberately offend. (Although more judicious readers will note Johnson goes on to say that he will defend anyone's right to dress how they wish, and its only malicious virtue signaling propagandists who quote out of context). That said, it is unwise and irresponsible to indulge in a similar lexicon when also being paid to be an elected politician. To his credit, since being elected PM Johnson has shown his diversity credentials. More of that later.

​It can also be said that both are beneficiaries of the rise of populism. Again, mainstream media delight in vilifying this movement, even though a populist is defined as ‘believer in the rights, wisdom, or virtues of the common people’. It seems strange to denigrate a concept that is at the heart of the principle of a ‘government for the people, by the people’, but such sanctimony seems to afflict the establishment these days. Personally, I would rather we were led by populists rather than self-serving elitists.
However, the similarities end here. Any journalist committed to balance and non-partisanship, and who takes the time to look at the policies and political achievements of both characters, cannot help but note that Boris had a serious political track record before entering the highest office in the land, and a history of championing and introducing policies that are the antithesis of Trump’s agenda.
Boris has been an elected representative for nearly 20 years, including being Mayor of London and was re-elected to a second term. As Mayor he publicly endorsed Obama. He was an advocate for LBGT rights and gender equality. He introduced a living wage, and championed green energy and investment in public transport. He still supports bold targets on reducing greenhouse gases and advocates international cooperation and funding overseas aid.
Since becoming Prime Minister, he has called for an amnesty for immigrants, selected a Muslim to be his Chancellor, a black man to be the Chair of his Party and appointed the largest number of BAME politicians (Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic) to his leadership team. Yet mainstream media and otherwise erudite commentators accuse him of being racist and sexist. Given his track record on championing the rights of minorities, perhaps the world needs a few more racist politicians! 
Both are divisive characters, a sad indictment of the toxic partisanship that exists in many western democracies. I’d prefer Leaders like Ekrem Imamoglu, the recently elected Mayor of Istanbul who defeated the increasingly dictatorial influence of Erdogan on a campaign of “love”, urging his supporters to “hug their opponents” not insult or demean them!
Alas, given today’s political climate in the UK & US, and their history as lotharios, we should not expect either Johnson or Trump to propagate the amorous approach. Nor should we expect today’s media to be charitable either. Journalists and commentators seem to have forgotten that “a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on”. (Winston Churchill)
Boris, who sees himself as a latter-day Churchill in the UK’s war with Europe, and who has been a highly successful journalist himself, knows that the ‘fourth estate’ carry immense power to mold and manipulate public opinion. His team will counter the misleading and disingenuous attempts to tar Boris with the same brush as Trump. Team Boris know that ‘actions speak louder than words’; and it is the outcomes of those actions he will be judged on.
Everything else is just bollocks!