Schoolboy rivalries never quite go away – just look at the ongoing competition between
Boris Johnson and David Cameron. Even though it was Cameron who held up Johnson’s arm in a symbolic victory gesture after Boris became Mayor of London in 2008, you wonder if Cameron had his
doubts. After all, Cameron never actually approached Johnson about the post, initially choosing Nicholas Boles as the Conservative candidate. Furthermore, Boris Johnson refused to rule out a future
bid to become Prime Minister.
With the increasing unpopularity of the coalition government and its leaders, the Spectator decided to conduct a(n admittedly unscientific) poll of 75 people: would Johnson, the ‘cycling mayor’, make a better Prime Minister than Cameron? The results were even – 34 people preferred Boris, while 41 supported Cameron.
One man said “Boris Johnson just hasn’t been impressive as Mayor,” and so couldn’t see him being impressive when in charge of the country. Another, however, found his character refreshing, describing him as “entertaining” and a “very bright man”. Others thought they were too similar to judge. As one person put it, “they are both from the same mould”, while another argued Boris is the “lesser of two evils”.
But let’s not get carried away on a Boris bike. Cameron is not without support, even being described as “the best we’ve had in ages”, “more responsible” and “more serious”, while Boris is “a wonderful buffoon, but David has more substance”.
Overall, while the majority love Boris for his “banter” and his honest approach, Cameron is believed to be the serious man of steel, the one that can lead the country. Boris simply doesn’t have “the right persona” for the job. Or does he? CoffeeHousers, it’s over to you…
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