Hazel Blears is to pay Boris Johnson a compliment today.

It's an unusual compliment to say the least - describing him as "A nasty, right-wing elitist, with odious views and criminal friends like Conrad Black," as Blears is expected to say.

But it is a compliment nonetheless, in that the full-blooded assault on Johnson launched at today's Labour Spring Conference represents an acknowedgment that the Tory mayoral candidate needs to be taken seriously.

"Boris is no joke," Blears will stress... If some in the Labour high command had expected the Johnson campaign to implode at some point, plainly they now recognise that they can't rely on his self-destructive streak to hand them victory on a plate.

The language Blears is expected to employ is a notch above the usual political knockabout, and raises the prospect of a race that is nastier, as well as closer, than many commentators had expected.

Comments

[Craig Hants 3 Mar 2008 17:14:24]

When labour return to class war they always lose elections let Blears carry on then we can get rid of this gov

[carol-ann liverpool 3 Mar 2008 14:06:15]

You can always rely on NuCon supporters to accuse Labour supporters of doing what they themselves have done over and over again! Sooo predictable and soooo very very Cameroonish and NuCon.

You can see why they support the hypocritical Cammers who as as much connection with real people and the truth as Jonathon Aitkin did before he went to prison!

Now, if the Tories put up a proper Tory candidate, I wouldn't have a problem with that. But they have put up a power crazed, hypocritical, flip-flopping marketing, manager!
The one positive thing about Boris is that he is more truthful than Cammers - sadly, he is not allowed to speak anymore because he is honest enough to reveal what the NuCons are REALLY like and what they would REALLY DO if they got into power.

My advice to the NuCons is to get rid of Cammers and pick a leader who is more worthy of leading your party and who is honest and has integrity.
Even Boris would make a better leader than Cammers and would probably have more chance of winning a general election!

Boris may have said some unpleasant things and reminds me of a Victorian colonialist, but at least he is more straight than Cammers.
If the NuCon agenda is so good why isn't Cammers proud to proclaim it? Could it be that he thinks it is too controversial, that people may not like it and it is therefore staying under wraps or 'in a drawer somewhere' until he has brainwashed enough people to follow his 'cult'?

He says he will not change any of Labours spending plans for the first three years of aNucon government - why is that I wonder - could it be that he is afraid of being a 'one term leader'?
These plans must be really bad if no-one is allowed to reveal them and no changes are made in the first three years!!
Good job he has no chance of leading the NuCons/Tories into Downing Street!

It has just occured to me that it might actually be a good thing for Boris to become Mayor of London, then we could see how constrained Boris would be by the NuCons in some areas and allowed some largesse in others. It would be like a living experiment only it will be Cammers/Hilton calling the shots, not Boris.

[B.Garvie 3 Mar 2008 07:32:19]

It is well known that Blears is an opportunist and spent force within Labour circles. Like most of her colleagues, she has singularly failed to impress. The only trouble is, she doesn't realise it yet!
The only thing she has excess of is her temper.

[Northernhousewife 1 Mar 2008 17:44:22]

She comes off looking worse [than she does already].
Judging by the effecivenes of Hillary's [far less personal, but nontheless] nasty attacks on Obama, she will get what she deserves.
She has always been an appalling bad minister.

[john essex Guildford 1 Mar 2008 10:35:24]

Why are the Bottler bloggers so nasty,vicious,sarcastic and self believing elitists.
Champagne socialists have this self belief and think that they are really above everyone else and that they have the answers.True socialists wouldnt act in this way.Really pathetic.

[Patricia 1 Mar 2008 07:53:06]

Madnurse;
May I say how much I enjoy reading your posts and the dignified and well mannered way in which you articulate your argument.
It is a great pity that some others could not follow your example.

[Fluffy, London, England 29 Feb 2008 17:29:01]

Oh dear me...,

Those who hate and envy (a.k.a. are subsidised by we Londoners) have no say. Unless, that is, we see another nEU-Labour vote-rigging exercise and subsequent "anti-government" action [sic], all paid by the public-sector (a' la "7/7").

Weakest links. Bye-bye...!

[Fluffy, London, England 29 Feb 2008 17:21:54]

"Philip, Bristol

you are a nasty piece of work we can all see now why you vote for the nasty party."

Posted by: John Delaney 29 Feb 2008 16:42:24

Sorry, but decorum! Please...?

[Effie 29 Feb 2008 17:12:44]

I'm sure you'll sit there and read this and come back with some sort of mealy mouthed smart alec response, but to quote the immortal words from Gone with the Wind

Quite frankly my dear, i don't give a damn

Posted by: John, Birkenhead 29 Feb 2008 16:51:59

Now that is just where you are so wrong.
I did not like it one iota how Ken Livingstone behaved with that journalist.
I happen to admire the Jew very much indeed.
What I do not admire is a Jewish person behaving in the way that particular reporter did any more than I liked Livingstone's response to him.
I am not an admirer of Ken Livingstone I do not know the man, but I think Johnston is a buffon and an adulterer and I like neither!!
How can the people of London trust this man if his wife cannot?

[Chris, Baildon UK 29 Feb 2008 16:53:05]

Hi John Delaney

It was meant to be a bit of a joke - sorry if you took offence.

So far Boris Johnson, on this blog, has been called, amongst other things - an odious man masquerading as Mr Bumble the laughable buffoon - a ruthless and manipulative toff - a village idiot - a buffoon.

Ken Livingston has been called a communist and comrade Ken

and you call me childish.

btw - as my dad is 6' 7" - so I expect he is bigger than your dad. ;-)

[John, Birkenhead 29 Feb 2008 16:51:59]

Effie

Having read through many of these blogs for the past few months i can't help but notice that you seem to live in a completely different parralel universe to the rest of us and seem to have a very selective memory

I am not going to claim i know much if anything at all about every single politician etc as i actually have a life despite reading through these blogs occasionally

But this is the first time i have felt the need to reply to one of your lunatic postings

You berate Boris for his comments about ken bigley but seem to have selectively forgotten all about a Mr Ken Livingstons comments about a jewish reporter and being like a guard at a nazi concentration camp which caused just as, if not more offence

Boris at least had the guts and decency to apologise ( admittedly under considerable pressure, but did ), whereas on the other hand Ken Livingston who doesn't have an ounce of common decencey in his body, and is unable to see that he was wrong, as in his eyes he can never be wrong and more importantly never admit to being wrong, refused to

I'm sure you'll sit there and read this and come back with some sort of mealy mouthed smart alec response, but to quote the immortal words from Gone with the Wind

Quite frankly my dear, i don't give a damn

[Effie 29 Feb 2008 16:49:13]

As for Michael Howard, he sent Boris up there following pressure from the media.

You got that one right Madnurse, the Tories have no principles that why the press had to pressure them into sending Boris Johnston to do the decent thing.
They would never had the decency to do that for themselves.

[Philip, Bristol 29 Feb 2008 16:37:49]

The people of Liverpool are well known for three things, The Beatles, LFC and wallowing in grief at every opportunity. They love it...

Boris is trying to get rid of a corrupt and loathsome man...in London...not Liverpool....although I am sure they have them there as well..

[Madnurse 29 Feb 2008 16:27:43]

Effie:

My Catholic up bringing tells me to hate the sin but love the sinner.

With regard to Boris's remarks about Liverpool, I think he made a valid point but was clumsy in the way he put it over. His timing also left alot to be desired. As for Michael Howard, he sent Boris up there following pressure from the media. Modern politics have become all about image. Boris did at least have the courage to go to Liverpool and make amends, something I suspect a Labour politician would not bother to do.

I notice Effie that you pick on the point only in relation to Liverpool, I used the phrase, "You are obviously an intelligent lady but you do yourself a dis-service with your vile jealous attacks on everything Conservative. Being rich or well connected is nothing to be ashamed off or indeed something that makes a person a bad person."
Like your self, CA has a built in hatred of everything Conservative. You both have chips on your shoulders that prevent you from taking part in objective debate.

As someone that had a career in nursing, I consider myself to be working class. Everything my husband and I have achieved is through good honest work. We both did two years of voluntary medical work in the Fifties in Kenya, with a Catholic charity.

Life is precious to me, every life, be that an unborn child or a politician.

One final point, you are the first to complain when other people defend other Conservatives, you call it the pack, why is it OK for you to do the same? Hypocracy seems to be the correct label for this demonstration of double standards.

I will now use another of your favourite phrases: This is the last comment I shall make on this thread.

Peter in Fife..Very witty:-)

[Effie 29 Feb 2008 15:54:19]

Speaking as a resident of Henley on Thames that has socialised with Boris on several ocassions, I can assure you he is nothing like how you describe him. Madnurse 29 Feb 2008 14:26:56

Well Madnurse have you thought that Carol Ann is speaking as a resident of Liverpool?
Now can I remind you what your fool of an MP had to say about the Late Ken Bigley and the people of Liverpool.
Quote:
Boris Johnstone’s MP's magazine job clashed with his political duties when he was last a frontbencher when an editorial in the magazine said Liverpool was "wallowing in victimhood" over the execution of Iraq hostage Ken Bigley.
He was despatched to the city by Michael Howard to apologise for the article.
Can I remind you he was the Editor of that magazine and if you think that is okay where is your Christian value's?

Even Michael Howard was extremely upset about those remarks as he should be.
But then whats a working class life to the likes of you when you can mingle with buffons and snobs like Boris Johnston?

Then soon afterwards he was sacked over his affair with Spectator columnist Petronella Wyatt.
What does your Catholic upbringing say about that?
Can I remind you that Pertonella Wyatt has not been the one and only indiscretion.
Still he can always go to confession and be forgiven for all!!!
What strange values you have mock people for mourning over a beheaded man but forgive the mocker for his infidelity.
I am glad I am a heathen!!

[John Delaney 29 Feb 2008 15:23:03]

Give me a "Tory Toff" over a "Commi Labour" any day.

Posted by: Chris, Baildon UK 29 Feb 2008 14:50:16

Grow up for heavens sake thats things they say in the play ground it's my ball and you are not playing,or my Dad is bigger than your Dad please grow up .

[Peter, Fife 29 Feb 2008 15:21:13]

It appears Hyacinth Bucket is alive and well.

[dave, surrey 29 Feb 2008 15:01:53]

'if they hadn't been toffs'

meanwhile back in the 21st centuary..

[Chris, Baildon UK 29 Feb 2008 14:50:16]

Give me a "Tory Toff" over a "Commi Labour" any day.

[Jon, cephalonia, greece 29 Feb 2008 14:48:40]

Hazel Blears, bad mouthing Big Boris, shameful.

Well Hazel, most of your friends are crooks, fraudsters, and out right bandits. Like you they are known by their more common name, the Cabinet.

[Madnurse 29 Feb 2008 14:26:56]

Carol-Ann:

You are obviously an intelligent lady but you do yourself a dis-service with your vile jealous attacks on everything Conservative. Being rich or well connected is nothing to be ashamed off or indeed something that makes a person a bad person.

Speaking as a resident of Henley on Thames that has socialised with Boris on several ocassions, I can assure you he is nothing like how you describe him. He has had run ins with Mr Cameron, so I suspect they are not quite as close as you suggest.

The type of image that some people present or have presented for them by the media, is often very differnt to the reality.

You say that Boris is a bully, this is not true and had you ever met him, assuming you were capable of putting your class war on hold for two minutes, you would come across a very charming witty man. Often we imagine how a person is, from other information or evidence. I have never met you but, you come across as a bully, you do not like hearing opinions different to your own. You mock and belittle those that give such opinions, you engage in name calling whilst at the same time attacking those that use similar childish names to describe politicians of your prefered party. These are classic traits of a bully.

I am an old Conservative and I do not like the direction that my party, a party I have worked hard for over the last sixty years and helped fund, is taking under Mr Cameron. Your party is even less like the traditional Labour party, it has lost it's roots and sacrificed it's principles for power. It has also betrayed it's grass root supporters. It has attracted the wrong type of people to it, namely champagne socialists, these are dangerous people.
I did not agree with the politics of the old Labour Party, but I respected them, I cannot say the same about the NuLabour project.

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 29 Feb 2008 14:16:13]

Madnurse
Well said by a loyal consituent of Henley, at least you are speaking from a position of "knowing the man", and with some sense, you speak as you find.

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 29 Feb 2008 14:09:26]

Really Carol-Ann
Where does all the hate for the "Tory Toffs" come from?
Mr Blair also went to University and most of the New Labour party did, what is your problem!
Why would you want to be a fly on the wall of Lord Ashcroft's house? I am beginning to think you are deluded, get a life dear!

[Madnurse 29 Feb 2008 13:54:46]

Boris is an excellent local MP and a great character.
Yes he comes from a privileged back ground but, so what? There is too much of the politics of envy at play in this country.
Eccentricity was always part of the British character. I know Boris and have socialised with him on a few occasions at our local constituency get togethers. He is charming, well educated, witty and very well informed. He also speaks his mind, a trait I for one think is good and sadly missing in many politicians of today.

If the people of London have any sense, they will get rid of this man that is killing London and replace him with Boris or any other. It will be sad for us here in Henley on Thames, to loose our MP, but it is a sacrifice we are happy to make to save London from Mr Livingston, hopefully it is not already too late to repair the damage done by the current mayor. My only hope is that we can then choose our own candidate on merit, rather than have Mr Cameron impose an “A” list candidate on us on grounds of race or gender.

[carol-ann, liverpool 29 Feb 2008 13:53:46]

Personally, I don't think the Labour Party should be giving Boris any free publicity because you can be sure Cammers will milk that to the max at PMQs.

It is likely to backfire with Cammers, at PMQs, looking for any excuse to proclaim that Labour is running scared over Boris.

Boris is, indeed, an odious man masquerading as Mr Bumble the laughable buffoon.

His biggest weapon is that he seems, on the surface, to be without guile.

He is like the posh version of Columbo and has the same effect on people that Columbo has when he first meets the murder suspect. They think he is a bumbling, naive, idiot who poses no threat.
Columbo's gift is that he allows people to think that he is a scruffy, disorganised and bumbling idiot for as long as it helps him with his case.
Of course, once he has got them bang to rights, they are mad as hell that this 'bumbling idiot' fooled them into a false sense of security.
They are, in effect, caught out because of their arrogance and prejudices.

Boris is really quite ruthless and manipulative just like his mate Cammers.
If they hadn't been toffs, they probably would have ended up in the theatre as their acting skills are up to Oscar standard.

If only we could give a mobile phone to a fly on the wall at Lord Ashcroft's estate, when Boris gets together with Cammers and Co, it would record a very different picture of Boris and Cammers, no doubt!

Oh and there will be many jokes about how they have managed to fool this person or that and they will be rolling round the floor laughing and arrogant thinking it is all a 'jolly jape' to fool or bully people into doing what they want them to do.
They all think their rightful place in this world has been usurped by what used to be their domestic staff and are all out to redress the old balance - they also use the brainwashed masses to beat-up and control their own kind, thus saving the toffs the trouble.
You can always rely on those from working class backgrounds, who like to think they are a cut above the rest, to do the dirty work for their masters who pretend to treat them as an equal, but don't want them around when they are having dinner parties with their upper class mates.

How deluded all the NuCon supporters are on here; I just hope you never have to find out the hard way, just how much you have had the wool pulled over your eyes, lets hope that, IF the Tories ever get into power, it will be the genuine, decent One Nation type Tories, as at least we could have some respect for them because they don't change their minds from morning to afternoon because their Communications Director has ordered them to do so because their previous position didn't give them enough 'edge'or whatever their daily 'mantra' is.
The older Tories at least had a sense of duty and noblesse oblige - the Nucons are totally without principle, it is all like a game of Monopoly to them.

[Bruce Hulmes / England 29 Feb 2008 13:37:05]

Is this the lady who voted to close maternity units. And then proceeded to be photographed with a placard outside Hope hospitals, maternity unit demanding it be kept open.
Talk about hypocracy and being not quite honest this little women would sell her granny just to be in the Government.

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 29 Feb 2008 13:27:44]

London Liam
I did live in London some years ago, great place.
Calling Boris Johnson a "buffoon" is a bit of an insult, what will the people of Henley think, they have voted for him since 2001, I am sure they will give him their support.
I have visited Boris's website "backboris" it's very informative, doesn't sound extreme to me, may I suggest you take a look at the site.
Boris is a Eton&Oxford man so I assume he has been given a reasonable education, and has worked for The Times, Telegraph and Spectator, and has published a few books.
I can only assume he is a cultured person, who has a quirky sense of humour, which is needed in today's world. I don't think he is a village idiot and my opinion is he would be good for a cosmopolitan London.

[London Liam 29 Feb 2008 13:02:55]

Boris maintains the village idiot pose to try and court popularity but make no mistakes he harbours extreme views and would make London the laughing stock if he was elected. He is a Buffoon!!

[Merv. Beszant, Dubai 29 Feb 2008 12:45:13]

Considering Hazel's height, she'll probably only be able to get Boris's knees in her sights!

[Big Dave, Northants 29 Feb 2008 12:34:35]

Blears isn't fit to lick Boris's boots! The man is vastly intellectual and a total riot. I almost wish I lived in London so I could vote for him!

[T. England 29 Feb 2008 11:56:45]

I think Boris is great!
Anyone who says he's not doesn't really have REAL Londoners interests at heart!

[alan mcpartland dublin 29 Feb 2008 11:40:26]

I don't think Boris is nasty at all. Not half as nasty as Hazel Blears and her fellow New Labour right wingers (virtually all New Labour) who inflicted war and tens of thousands of deaths on a people already crippled by economic sanctions and blatently lied to us all in the process. Boris seems a nice, friendly, slightly quirky guy, with whom I would love to have a pint.If you ever come to Dublin you're on Boris. As for Hazel, I think I'll pass thank you. Life is hard enough already!

[Khalid 29 Feb 2008 11:38:54]

Sir Joey
Whilst I'm sure there will be many moments of [Aqua] in the house as such compliments drivel from lip to lip, could you tell me which one is the [Barbie Girl]. Other than that he has as good a chance as any to be Mayor and a fine job he will do!

[Peter, Fife 29 Feb 2008 10:59:04]

There is a huge gulf between admitting ones complicity or having been found guilty in a court of law and subsequently being incarcerated to being under a police investigation instigated by one’s own political opponents.

The cornerstone of our legal systems is the presumption of innocence; in dubio pro reo is the Latin legal term which means "When in doubt, in favour of the accused."
This in lay terms is roughly equivalent to "Innocent until proven guilty."

It would appear that there are those amongst us who have chosen as their preference, de jure, a presumption of guilt.

[waine uk 29 Feb 2008 10:55:13]

MUZZA this once great country faded into obscurity long before New Labour came to power. The only time it was great was when it was killing natives in it's Empire days.
And that was bows and arrows against guns.

[Muzza, Stevenage 29 Feb 2008 10:39:52]

With any luck the Mayoral election will be the beginning of the end of this farcical 'government' Ridding the country of Communist Ken Livingstone will hopefully be the beginning of the end of Labour whose contribution to this country has been the erosion of our once great country. And Blear's is going to mention his criminal friends while her own 'government' has two police investiations into its own criminality ongoing. Breathtaking arrogance but typical of our heirachy - do as we say not as we do or else.

[Peter, Fife 29 Feb 2008 09:53:38]

Hazel Blears being nasty?
Like being savaged by a large cushion I would suggest.

I would equally suggest this is the very reason that she as Communities and Local Government Secretary has been chosen to challenge Boris’s position by the Labour Party in support of the Labour Candidate; if she makes any Faux Pas these will be treated as ‘just Hazel.

This is a strange office insomuch that the leading parties seem more interested in not losing this election rather than winning it; if this was seen as a serious office there would be a real candidature contesting this election rather than the parties odd balls who are seeking the support of London’s voters.

[The Morning Mail 29 Feb 2008 09:49:11]

I think Hazel Blears is right to expose Boris for what he really is. He creates the impression that he is a likeable Buffoon with glib one liners but in reality he is elitist, has odious views against ethnic minorities and is not fit for the office of London Mayor.

On the matter of Conrad Black. Will Boris keep in touch with his incarcerated buddy?

[Stephen Williams, London 29 Feb 2008 09:46:56]

"Boris is no joke. He's a nasty, right-wing elitist, with odious views and criminal friends like Conrad Black."

This is rich coming from this crooked government who are now looked upon as more sleazy than the last Tory government, the last few months have shown what a dodgy bunch the British public have voted in for the last 3 elections.

They are more bent than any other previous government in British political history. Boris will quite rightly be elected Mayor of London on May 1st & finally put an end to red ken's politics of envy, anti- motorist, anti-business communist reign of power.

Labour are obviously running scared of losing their mayor on May 1st or they wouldn't even be mentioning it at the spring conference if they thought the London Mayoral election was a fore gone conclusion.

[Fluffy, London, England 29 Feb 2008 09:43:08]

One is sure that Hazel Blears, the biker, has more then enough criminal acquaintances to worry about before casting any stones. [Some Methodist!] Be fair, she was part of that "unlawful activity" [Gordon 'Rusty' Brown] farce that masqueraded as a deputy-leadership contest!

As "Communities" minister, surely she should be focused on fighting gun-crime in her northern hell-holes? Let Londoners judge Boris, Comrade Ken, et. al. without duplicitous northern interference....

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 29 Feb 2008 07:52:14]

Hazel Blears getting "nasty" with Boris. This is the lady who got her heel stuck in the pavement outside No 10 one day. Careful Hazel this tactic could backfire, Hillary Clinton has tried that tactic on Obama and it hasn't worked yet. Be careful what you pray for!