Congratulations Boris
Matthew d'Ancona 10:39pm
Greetings to all CoffeeHousers from the 29th Floor of Millbank Tower, where the faithful have gathered to toast our new Mayor - who, poor fellow, is stuck at the count waiting for official public confirmation of the triumph that Downing Street conceded hours ago, the bookies have already accepted, and the Evening Standard has announced in a special late edition.
It is a pleasure and a privilege to congratulate Boris on his victory - as his successor at the Spectator, his friend and (above all) a Londoner. Be in no doubt: this is a sensational achievement. Ken Livingstone has dominated London politics for a quarter century and presided over a coalition of formidable strength. In 2000, he ran rings around the New Labour machine at its mightiest. To dislodge him is a historic act of giant-killing and a remarkable moment in the capital's political history.
Labour will insist that this is a London story with no national consequence. The opposite, of course, is the case: for the first time since the general election of 1992, the Tory Party has won a major contest. The victorious candidate has captured the imagination of the whole country. His election dramatises and personifies the Conservative revival more vividly than any policy announcement or mini-manifesto could ever do. Tomorrow morning the whole country will be talking about the Boris Effect and wondering what comes next.
So: well done, my friend. You deserved this victory for which you fought and fought and fought against a veteran opponent. The torch has indeed been passed. All the best from your friends at the Spec: enjoy tonight, and then - to work!
Previous
Comments
Gareth
May 2nd, 2008 11:01pmThat's the point Matt, as DC is adamant about, TO WORK. Make London better. Make Britain better and do it locally, minimally and with brio.
CS
May 2nd, 2008 11:26pmWell said, Matthew. Can we assume that Andrew Neill will be posting his fraternal congratulations on Coffee House too.
(see if THAT gets past the censor)
Waiting
May 2nd, 2008 11:28pmBBC is still leading on Zimbabwe. Is this an omen?
Wibbler
May 2nd, 2008 11:30pmExcellent post!
Simon
May 2nd, 2008 11:48pmBe fair. Zimbabwe has announced results.
Tiberius
May 3rd, 2008 12:11amTime to celebrate. Enjoy the party down there, Matt. Britain has a chance to roll back the negative forces of the last 11 years. Optimism is back!
Max Kaye
May 3rd, 2008 12:31amCongratulations Boris! Nice speech too: duly gracious and statesmanlike....
Enjoy your weekend and next week start the purge of overpaid, trendy lefties at City Hall.
(BTW: I propose Stanley Johnson for MP for Henley).
Ian C
May 3rd, 2008 12:42amNow Boris can, and must, prove he is not just a (very funny) joke. You may know that at the Speccie. But if he is to maintain the respect of the rest of the country that he has earned he has to show that something really does come next. I, for one, will be sceptical until he does over a full 4-year term, but that should not be allowed to detract tonight from a considerable achievement tonight.
Canute
May 3rd, 2008 12:42amI knew it was possible to turn back the tide - I was just several hundred years too late!
Water
May 3rd, 2008 1:59amHahahaha yes! Great stuff! Finally!
Water
May 3rd, 2008 4:23amOnce again well done Boris!
Chris Forte
May 3rd, 2008 7:29amyeeeeeeeeeeeeees. I have moved to South korea to get away from Gordon and Ken Livingstone destroying my chances of making a decent living. With these results I may consider coming home.
Faceless Bureaucrat
May 3rd, 2008 9:24amMuch talk recently of 'tipping points' for NuLab - I believe we have just witnessed it. Congratulations, Mr. Mayor....
Paul B
May 3rd, 2008 9:41amCongratulation Boris. Yes do get to work, but please, no need to work too hard.Keep your sense of perspective, keep time for leisure and pleasure, we want & need small government, not a large interfering busy body government, thats the message from the British people of this week imo.
Last, but by no means least, please keep your sense of humour, its the reason why many were endeared to you initially.Its a wonderful quality, especially the ability I perceive in you,namely your ability to laugh at yourself.
Once again big well done Mr Johnson
Perry
May 3rd, 2008 10:44amOh Boris, - CONGRATULATIONS!
You have done us all a power of good.
Red May Day now replaced for ever in my heart by the Feast of the Sainted Boris, - the day when his victory confirmed that new life had sprung up and began to grow in place of drab leftie gloom and statist control.
Now, lots of work to do. You surely have your lists.
My hope is that you quickly purge nonsense, drivel, and fawning platitudes ; set aside the apologists for those who wish us harm ; eliminate the jobsworths, and those who earn huge salaries and pensions for doing tasks with no real point or purpose, except to interfere and annoy. And finally, make huge inroads in the awful waste of money and endeavour.
I’m sure your sense of humour and sang froid will never desert you.
And might I respectfully propose your esteemed Father as prospective MP for Henley?
Perry
May 3rd, 2008 10:50amYes Matthew, - a lovely piece of writing, - and renewed thanks to you, and all the Coffee Housers.
Miss Rosemary E. Aboud
May 3rd, 2008 12:33pmAlthough I am an Australian, I am almost elated that Boris Johnson won. I have been an admirer of his for years. Now London will have the mayor it deserves, and needs. It shows the strengths of Boris Johnson and the sense of Londoners who care about their great city. Excellent news. Brilliant.Your win Mr. Johnson is as it should be ; you are showing what a good Tory can do!
Al
May 3rd, 2008 3:19pmDear Boris, Congratulations.
we have got rid of The Newt.
Small, transparent government, working efficiently for the people. Saying what they spent the money on. Not spending too much money.... Having some left over for contingencies. Get council tax down.
Thanks in advance...
Francesca
May 3rd, 2008 3:46pmWhat a fantastic relief!
Robert Wood Ottawa Canada
May 3rd, 2008 6:06pmGO BOJO!
Oh frabjous day, caloo-calay.
DBX
May 3rd, 2008 8:09pmProbably the only one here who is a little sad to see Livingstone fall to a self-inflicted cloud of his own arrogance, because he did many good things as mayor largely as a result of telling NuLaborŪ to get stuffed. Boris was the best possible candidate for the Tories, and did he ever deliver. My main worry is Boris's background is Westminster, not local government; he'll have to remember that he is London's mayor, and not David Cameron's junior minister for London.
Best part of the night is the thorough spanking to Gordon Brown. Maybe NuLaborŪ is finally dead? Please?
c creed
May 3rd, 2008 9:38pmI am not a conservative voter sti...and still happy that this is the man for the job..will vote LD unless Boris gets a 'l' cut in his fringe......what a result ..well done mate.. u may pave the way for the next gov...
Carlo Picco, Italia.
May 5th, 2008 1:01pmDear Boris,
congratulations from Italy.
Susan Wade Weeks
May 5th, 2008 9:03pmA fantastic achievement Boris, by you and all the team...You were a modest, funny yet inspiring leader - positively Shakespearian. xxxxxx