Boris Johnson

Boris was a Global Ambassador for the City of London when he was Mayor. He brought in a lot of money and businesses . Then there was another high focus for the Olympics. So, he is well known throughout the world - how many other Foreign Secretaries could anyone name?

Also, he is a linguist. I know the old chestnut, "Everyone speaks English", but if you want to do business then you speak the language of your hosts- not just being able to ask for a beer in Spain. It's not only a question of the spoken word either, but the understanding of the culture behind it. Our 3 girls all did 2 Modern languages each at University, so I know from experience that this skill is not easily achieved . I hope that Boris will bring back the requirement for Foreign Office Staff abroad to speak the language of their Posting. This has , apparently, been let slip over the years. ..... Who would you choose to do business with - someone who communicated directly with you OR someone who had to use a translator ? ( and we know how well THAT can work when dealing with the Russians and Chinese )

So, Boris will be fine. He also kept his cool and his dignity when the insults flew during the TV debates. He must have had coaching ! - or were we seeing the real Boris then?

Regards
Brenda

#11,'He also kept his cool and his dignity when the insults flew during the TV debates.'

He did indeed Brenda.... and how refreshing. He looked almost bewildered, incredulous even at some. What happened to upholding high standards of personal and intellectual integrity. Just one of the rules of debate.

Don't underestimate Boris, he is a British bulldog, untidy looking but very tenacious, he had two terms as London Mayor, not a small job by any means, sorted out the very dangerous bendy-buses,( got rid of them) which killed numerous cyclists and pedestrians and not really suitable for Londons crowded restricted width roads, introduced cycle lanes and bicycles for hire around the city, also introduced point-to-point hire cars within greater London, plus so many other seemingly small things but which improved the movement of its basic 8 million residents plus the million plus who move in and out each day, lets give him a chance, sometimes he'll put his foot in it, but who hasn't

boris the british bulwark .....he will take no crap .......just the man for the job.....cappy

Ivan how can you say he is untidy, when you were admiring Gullivers shirt, or maybe it was his Japanese girlfriend. My mother sometimes bought my old mans suits from Oxfam and he used to go around telling everyone he got this blue pinstripe for a pound. I was always careful when living at home to inspect my clothes in case they had been switched overnight. I think Boris is not worried about how he dresses and is not a pufter. He would probably have been quite prepared to use your rag bag. Regardless of what people have to say clothes do not make the man, the man maketh the clothes which are only secondary anyway, unless you are up for examinations with some of these old time examiners. Who were apt to give you seatime if dressed incorrectly. I also think Boris is a good choice for his position in the Cabinet, to correct others bad errors of judgement. If the pope is reading this I will propose them for sainthood and second it also if necessary, hope also Farange finishes up in the British Cabinet sometime in the future after he has finished sticking up two finger at various people in Brussels and also finished with the EU. Its people like them that are the backbone which is quite often missing. Cheers JWS. PS I hope Pufter is not a hate word. If it is I was referring to a puffing Billy an old steam train I used to take my son to see. JWS

Marion 12. interestingly the nasty women that during the debate stated to Boris * would not like you to drive me home after a party *, or words very similar, but she is also in the cabinet, cannot recall her name, but a powerful position anyway. I wonder how they will get on ? kt

She was called Amanda Rudd, KT.
She looked very frustrated, a good seeing to would have done her good and put a smile on her face.
Just glad I am not married to her.
Brian

I see she,s divorced Brian, so with your suggestion, if you are down south, pop in and see her, the country could do with a smile and a lift !!!!!kt

#16, Amber Rudd, Keith and as you say a force to be reckoned with...She likes a pretty boy, so Boris should be safe in that respect :p[Ex husband, food critic, AAGill, who incidentally wrote a scathing piece in The Sunday Times against brexit just before the vote:mad:]


As to the lift home....manners to wait till your asked:D

In my business travels I have known Brits of similar ilk; highly skilled in their field, linguists, charmers, arrogant and brutal when the need arose and great company. I admire your Prime Minister's choice of Foreign Secretary. In many ways ' A Man For All Seasons'. I would like to think that he and his team will reactivate many of the ties between our two nations that have loosened over the decades.
Richard