Background Checks
The Tory Title Race … and there were 2.
As Boris Johnson and Jeremy H*nt face each other in a blue corner vs blue corner match-up we’re going to delve into both their pasts and see what a British government under each would look like (and Brexit of course).
Education
Boris Johnson; Oxford-educated (not a surprise let’s be honest) but also Eton educated. Should Boris be elected he would be the 20 PM to be brought through the Eton school of not so hard knocks. This raises further questions around social mobility and political representation that have been widely covered elsewhere (see here).
Jeremy Hunt, in comparison, took his classes at the equally well-sheltered Charterhouse before graduating at Oxford University.
A privately-educated conservative leader? Who would have thought?
Controversies
Well, shits hit the fan recently at the Johnson crib, although Johnson been in this game too long so personal and, ultimately, family problems will breeze over and not distract from the title race. A cover-up with a signature of Boris fumbling of words to bore anyone seems to have sufficed any questions that aim to derail Johnson’s carriage to Downing Street. Go back a few years and noteworthy fumbles (That zipwire, That rugby takedown, That football tackle) have almost painted Johnson in a strange light of sympathy and embarrassment. Not necessarily the characteristics that the country needs in a demanding PM position. Recent controversies around Brexit and the leave campaign are well documented (you can read our take here). But Johnson has never been one to stand clear of the limelight; his writing for the Telegraph covering Brussels was controversial while the conflict of interest of working for the Spectator and as a Tory MP was a big no-no. Nothing has put Johnson in any serious hot-water as to completely undermine him; he wouldn’t be favourite for PM if anything had.
Mr Hunt was in hot water, most prominently, as Health Secretary, where he managed to make thousands of friends with junior doctors in protests against the underfunding of the NHS – later leading to a ‘humanitarian crisis’ (Red Cross). Outrage was also present with Hunt’s ultraconservative views around cutting the abortion limit to 12 weeks from 24, although he said this wouldn’t be changed should he become PM. Hunt was also a leading member of the expenses drama – he was ordered to repay over 9 grand in taxpayers money that was used to do-up his second home. There are also improper activities around the Leveson inquiry and comments made against Liverpool fans regarding the Hillsborough disaster.
Brexit
Boris Johnson has long been on the side of a no-deal allow in recent weeks his stance has softened as he aims for more conservative-public support. A rallying cry was heard from the Boris chops in the last few days however indicating that he would take the UK out of the EU “with or without a deal” by the 31stOctober. Johnson would also like to remove the Irish backstop.
Hunt, who voted remain, said he would be prepared to leave with no deal but only if a more favourable one wasn’t on the table (we have no idea what this means either). Hunt would re-negotiate with the EU to get a favourable deal and has this has long been his position after backing May’s last attempts. He would also renegotiate the Irish backstop.
There’s a long way to run on this topic, however.
Find more articles like this under Investigations.
As Boris Johnson and Jeremy H*nt face each other in a blue corner vs blue corner match-up we’re going to delve into both their pasts and see what a British government under each would look like (and Brexit of course).
Education
Boris Johnson; Oxford-educated (not a surprise let’s be honest) but also Eton educated. Should Boris be elected he would be the 20 PM to be brought through the Eton school of not so hard knocks. This raises further questions around social mobility and political representation that have been widely covered elsewhere (see here).
Jeremy Hunt, in comparison, took his classes at the equally well-sheltered Charterhouse before graduating at Oxford University.
A privately-educated conservative leader? Who would have thought?
Controversies
Well, shits hit the fan recently at the Johnson crib, although Johnson been in this game too long so personal and, ultimately, family problems will breeze over and not distract from the title race. A cover-up with a signature of Boris fumbling of words to bore anyone seems to have sufficed any questions that aim to derail Johnson’s carriage to Downing Street. Go back a few years and noteworthy fumbles (That zipwire, That rugby takedown, That football tackle) have almost painted Johnson in a strange light of sympathy and embarrassment. Not necessarily the characteristics that the country needs in a demanding PM position. Recent controversies around Brexit and the leave campaign are well documented (you can read our take here). But Johnson has never been one to stand clear of the limelight; his writing for the Telegraph covering Brussels was controversial while the conflict of interest of working for the Spectator and as a Tory MP was a big no-no. Nothing has put Johnson in any serious hot-water as to completely undermine him; he wouldn’t be favourite for PM if anything had.
Mr Hunt was in hot water, most prominently, as Health Secretary, where he managed to make thousands of friends with junior doctors in protests against the underfunding of the NHS – later leading to a ‘humanitarian crisis’ (Red Cross). Outrage was also present with Hunt’s ultraconservative views around cutting the abortion limit to 12 weeks from 24, although he said this wouldn’t be changed should he become PM. Hunt was also a leading member of the expenses drama – he was ordered to repay over 9 grand in taxpayers money that was used to do-up his second home. There are also improper activities around the Leveson inquiry and comments made against Liverpool fans regarding the Hillsborough disaster.
Brexit
Boris Johnson has long been on the side of a no-deal allow in recent weeks his stance has softened as he aims for more conservative-public support. A rallying cry was heard from the Boris chops in the last few days however indicating that he would take the UK out of the EU “with or without a deal” by the 31stOctober. Johnson would also like to remove the Irish backstop.
Hunt, who voted remain, said he would be prepared to leave with no deal but only if a more favourable one wasn’t on the table (we have no idea what this means either). Hunt would re-negotiate with the EU to get a favourable deal and has this has long been his position after backing May’s last attempts. He would also renegotiate the Irish backstop.
There’s a long way to run on this topic, however.
Find more articles like this under Investigations.