A.A. Gill is not impressed with New Boris. Example:

“This is the best job in politics, isn’t it?” he says. “This is the really big one.”

And you might get it, I say. “Yes, yes.” He has a nervous, concentrated look, as you might have while waiting for the all-clear siren to sound. “I might – it’s very close, isn’t it?” He flicks me a sideways glance. Yes, I think it is quite close. What are the three things you’ll do when you take over City Hall on the first day: what’s at the top of your agenda?

“Um, um.” He’s plainly never considered this; like the Americans in Iraq, there is no plan for after victory. He searches the horizon for inspiration: “Um, well, put conductors and policemen on buses. Yes, and take away free passes from children.” That’s my son you’re taking about, I point out.

“Only if they’re naughty – your son isn’t naughty, is he? Um, er, give pensioners 24-hour travel passes. Er, stop Tube workers going on strike, bring in legislation to, oh, er.”

Allowing octogenarians travel passes to go clubbing doesn’t quite have the ring of a mission statement. Tell you what, Boris: have a think and call me tomorrow.

We subsequently learn that this was the day of what Gill calls his "ghastly, unfocused, underprepared, stuttering and blustering factless rant" on Newsnight.

Of course, we’re not impressed with New Boris either. Nor Old Boris, nor anything to do with Boris, in fact; except the idea of his defeat in the Mayoral election.

This entry was posted on Sunday 13 April 2008 at 23.20 by Mr. Stop Boris and is filed under Incompetence, Media, The Times. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS2 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.