Boris Johnson: What Should He Have Known Before Running for Office?
The election of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 2019 was one of the most unexpected and controversial developments in recent British political history. A man who had previously held the office of Mayor of London, the Conservative MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip had never quite been taken seriously as a potential leader of the country before his eventual victory. However, for all of Johnson’s strengths as a politician, there were many issues that should have been taken into account before he decided to run for office.
The Man Behind the Mask: Boris Johnson’s Past
Before entering the public spotlight, Johnson had established a record as a capable editor and journalist at the Spectator and Daily Telegraph, with an excellent command of the English language. Nevertheless, the track record that has followed him since those days cannot be ignored. Questions have been raised on numerous occasions of his use of hyperbole, flippancy and false facts, which at the lowest have caused headaches in the media, and at the highest placed added strain on international relations.
However, it is not simply issues of truth and clarity that have been raised in the past. Throughout his time in public office, Johnson has been accused of numerous breaches of the ministerial code, ranging from his involvement with the infamous ‘pasty-gate’ affair, to his decision not to declare potential conflicts of interest when taking part in a public vote. These issues only become more compounded when one considers the issues raised by his previous comments and behaviour towards women, Muslims and other minority groups.
An Unceasing Reputation for Controversy: What Should Boris Johnson Have Known?
The issues which have dogged Johnson’s career appear only to have multiplied further since he assumed the role of Prime Minister. In many respects, thesecontroversies were predictable. Johnson’s frequent use of derogatory language in the past regarding minority groups should have made it clear that if he allowed such language to remain part of his repertoire as Prime Minister, such action could prove damaging to himself, to his colleagues and to the nation.
Finding himself involved in numerous pandemic-related scandals since taking office, the Prime Minister has continued to alienate many British citizens. Most recently, the Parliamentary courts found him in contempt of court over his proposed suspension of Parliament during the crucial Brexit period in 2019. This resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that the suspension was unlawful, which was just the latest in a long line of actions by Johnson which have provoked international uproar.
Practical Tips for a Successful Political Career
For those who may be considering entering into a role of public office in the future, there are certain steps that should be taken to ensure a successful career.
• Consider the implications of all public comments – Every public comment that is made has the potential to be scrutinised, and can cause difficulty with both colleagues and the general public. As such, particular consideration must be taken of the use of offensive language and any possible interpretation of others which is likely to be seen in a negative light.
• Be aware of one’s actions – Johnson has found himself at the centre of numerous scandals which have cast both himself, and the government in a negative light. It is important for potential political candidates to take into account the potential for such events when in public office.
• Take care to adhere to the relevant code of conduct – All politicians need to be mindful of the important of maintaining the public trust. This is especially true when it comes to the ministerial code, which is an important set of guidelines which all politicians should make sure to adhere to.
Despite Boris Johnson’s many successes in his political career to date, his almost flippant approach to public office has attracted a great deal of criticism. This has only been compounded by his careless manner of speaking in the international press and his often problematic actions. For anyone considering a career in politics, Johnson’s journey as Prime Minister should serve as a valuable reminder as to why it is important to remain aware of one’s actions, while always bearing in mind the importance of adhering to the relevant codes of conduct.
