DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Sad downfall of Boris Johnson echoes Greek tragedy
Boris Johnson’s sad and premature departure from the political stage he once bestrode has all the hallmarks of one of his beloved Greek tragedies.
In that dramatic form, the hero means well and invariably has a string of successes. But, because of flaws of his own, he is eventually toppled.
Shortly after 8pm last night, Mr Johnson sensationally announced he was quitting as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip with immediate effect.
It brought an abrupt end to a remarkable, albeit turbulent, political career. Perhaps, though, it will only be temporary.
Who would bet good money against the old Boosteriser one day returning to the scene – possibly to rescue the Tory party from the electoral doldrums of opposition?
Boris Johnson’s sad and premature departure from the political stage he once bestrode has all the hallmarks of one of his beloved Greek tragedies
Mr Johnson delivered Brexit, guided the country through the worst pandemic in a century, then galvanised the civilised world to stand by Ukraine
In a stinging statement, Mr Johnson said the Commons committee investigating if he had misled Parliament over Partygate – intentionally or otherwise – had found him guilty. He was, he said, ‘bewildered and appalled’. But can he really have been surprised? This kangaroo court has long been a travesty of justice.
Indeed, as recently as March, the privileges committee published a report effectively condemning the ex-prime minister as guilty, even before he had a chance to give evidence. So much for the principle of natural justice!
The truth is, this is a sad day for democracy. For while he was elected prime minister by ordinary voters who admired him for being different from other dreary career politicians, he was brought down by a Westminster establishment that hated him.
He was relentlessly attacked from all sides by the soi-disant elites who never forgave him for Brexit, or for coming from outside the Establishment machine. Yet this extraordinary, charismatic politician leaves a profound legacy – one of changing Britain for the better.
He gave hope to sections of British society which had been ignored for decades. His one-nation, levelling-up agenda was sneered at by the stale old guard – but fired up the public’s imagination.
Brexit was our country’s greatest shift in direction in decades. The vast potential is nowhere near yet fully realised. But without Boris it would never have happened at all.
He landed the Conservatives their biggest election victory for three decades, demolished the Red Wall and vanquished Jeremy Corbyn. He delivered Brexit, guided the country through the worst pandemic in a century, then galvanised the civilised world to stand by Ukraine. No, he didn’t get everything right. But, given the resistance of the Whitehall Blob to any meaningful reform, his performance was more than creditable.
Mr Johnson, pictured here boxing, landed the Conservatives their biggest election victory for three decades, demolished the Red Wall and vanquished Jeremy Corbyn
Yes, the then PM showed poor judgment on occasions, in particular over Partygate. But he was brought down by a wildly disproportionate hate campaign mounted against him over a confection of relatively trivial matters.
As Mr Johnson said last night, when he was forced from office the party was a handful of points behind in the polls. That gap has now massively widened.
And, just four years after winning a landslide, the Tories are in danger of being dumped unceremoniously from office.
Rishi Sunak should acknowledge the debt he owes to him and pursue those 2019 promises of Brexit freedoms, low taxes, levelling-up and house-building.
There will be sanctimonious crowing today from his enemies, that unholy alliance of Leftist loudmouths, hand-wringing liberals and embittered Remainers, cheered on by the supposedly neutral BBC, Sky and ITN.
But Boris can hold his head high. His everyman vision was genuinely inspiring and could have worked to the common good. But tragically, he was never given the chance to execute it. That should be a matter of regret for us all.
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