You are here: Home » News »

Tories at war – Downing Street slams “Begging Bowl” Boris

September 7, 2012 10:59 am

Tags:

Share this Article

That Boris Johnson bounce over the Olympics was never going to be taken lying down by Downing Street, especially not after the reaction that cabinet ministers – and the PM himself – received at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. After Boris attacked proposals to build a third runway at Heathrow as “slightly mad”, Downing Street told the FT:

“We will see what happens the next time he comes around with the begging bowl”

 

Related posts:

  1. Rumours that Blears brought resignation forward after Downing Street briefing against her
  2. Downing Street is now the last refuge of the electorally damned
  3. Are the Tories flyposting TFL property for Boris?
  4. Why did Boris have the lawyers out last night?
  5. Spot the difference: Don’t play frisbee with Boris edition
  • AlanGiles

    I think this is probably a tacit admission that despite previous denials Johnson does seem himself as the next leader of the Conservative party, and this rebuke from a Cameron spokesperson, shows they are rattled he could mount a serious challenge (though the words “serious” and “Boris Johnson” do look odd when put together) .

    Clearly there are divisions and they seem to be deepening.

  • http://twitter.com/shibleylondon Dr Shibley Rahman

    I’ve sent some time thinking about whether that begging bowl counts as ‘passive aggressive’ and concluded that I have far too much free time on my hands!

  • ColinAdkins

    I agree with Alan on this. But a sign of our times is my question – what exactly are the political/philosophical differences between Cameron and Johnson or is it all just personalities.

    Whilst I do not want to distract attnetion from the main thrust of the posting I remain puzzled over Johnson’s exact appeal. Very much ‘King’s new clothes’ to me. Many have been shouting he is ‘naked’ to no good effect.  I am bit concerned when Radio 1 DJs (I was channel hopping) call him BoJo which indicates to me he is getting popstar status.

    The problem for Johnson though is that he only becomes onservative leader if Ed becomes PM at the next election. 

    • Jeremy_Preece

      British public always like the odd maverik and that is why Boris Johnson has a following. He stands for the opposite of the groomed well oiled American style plastic leader that David Cameron is.
      I dislike the man myself and would not trust him as far as I could throw him. Howver while it may be funny for some to see a P G Woodhouse character as a Mayor of London I really can’t see him being a PM or Tory leader, unless the other candidate was Mr Bean, and then it would be a close call.

  • billbat

    Note that Boris announced that if  Cameron commits to a third runway in this Parliament then Boris will find a safe Commons seat to lead the Opposition. A wonderful opportunity for Boris to make a re-entry  in time for  Cameron to be  dumped in 2014.

  • AlanGiles

     If the Conservatives were desperate enough to pick the “quiet man” (Duncan-Smith) as leader. I don’t think it is beyond the bounds of feasibility if they chose Johnson, though I don’t think he would “travel” well, in that while he might appeal to some sections of London and Outer London, I doubt he would the Outer Hebrides or Merseyside, or Cardiff.

Latest

  • Featured Becoming a Living Wage City – an ambition worth having

    Becoming a Living Wage City – an ambition worth having

    By Ian Stewart

    A cleaner met me on the corridor the other day as I was leaving the office and gave me a huge hug. “Thank you, City Mayor,” she told me “that’s been the best news for years.” After I had recovered from my embarrassment, I realised what she was talking about. Salford had just introduced the full Living Wage – becoming the first local authority in Greater Manchester to implement a full Living Wage of £7.45 for every member of staff [...]

    Read more →
  • Comment Planning the revolution – Labour and the Spending Review

    Planning the revolution – Labour and the Spending Review

    By David Robinson

    In four weeks time the Chancellor will announce the results of the 2015 spending Review. There won’t be many winners but some will have lost more than others. Political commentators and discussion forums will pass judgement and public sector managers will, yet again, pick through the debris, making do and mending from what ever they can salvage. Before we get overtaken by the detail we should reflect on the bigger picture. What ever the chancellor says on June 26th it [...]

    Read more →
  • Comment A call for action at the G8

    A call for action at the G8

    By Ivan Lewis

    In less than a month’s time, the UK hosts the G8 Summit. With hunger, tax, trade and transparency all on the agenda, the UK has a unique opportunity to show global leadership on these issues. The scale of hunger is devastating. There is enough food in the world for everyone, yet 1 billion people still go hungry. 2.3 million children every year die from malnutrition – to put that in perspective, that is around 16,000 children every day. Or one [...]

    Read more →
  • News TUC suggests Football World Cup vote should be re-run – Media roundup: May 24th, 2013

    TUC suggests Football World Cup vote should be re-run – Media roundup: May 24th, 2013

    Subscribers to our morning email get the best of LabourList – including the Media and blog round up – every weekday morning. If you were a subscriber you would have already received this in your inbox. You can sign up here. TUC suggests Football World Cup vote should be re-run “The TUC along with its international equivalent – the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) – is calling on UEFA to address the appalling treatment of workers and players in Qatar and [...]

    Read more →
  • Featured A Northern Tory that Labour should be afraid of

    A Northern Tory that Labour should be afraid of

    By Mark Ferguson

    The Labour Party spends a great deal of time beating itself up over its performance in Southern England. We know it simply isn’t good enough, but we can’t seem to put our finger on why exactly that’s the case. Is it demographics? No. Culture? Perhaps. Lack of basic party organisation in some areas? It’s certainly a factor. But whilst we’re flagellating ourselves over our inability to perform south of the Watford gap (outside of London), we should remember that the [...]

    Read more →