“We should all be shocked and dismayed by the news that Boris Johnson has become Prime Minister, without any say from the British public on that choice. At this crucial moment in our country’s history, what we sorely need is clear and decisive leadership, not the gaffes and foolhardy bravado that has been consistently displayed by Mr Johnson throughout his unedifying career. Indeed, as we see our country increasingly riven by division and hatred, we need someone who can promote reconciliation. Mr Johnson is a peculiarly ill-fitting candidate for the task, and seems set to exacerbate the deep discords that threaten civil society in the UK and among its several nations.
“Furthermore, his ill-judged willingness to allow us to
crash-out of Europe without a deal suggests that he has no qualms
about risking disaster for our nation, in order to garner the votes
of those on the extreme right of his party. We already know that
the alternative solutions which he has espoused, particularly
regarding the Northern Ireland border, were debunked as fantasy
long ago; worse still, messing with the Good Friday Agreement could
open the way to a return of the terrifying Troubles that I remember
living through in my childhood.
“And besides, who can ignore Johnson’s hopelessly
inadequate record on tackling climate breakdown, which is the
greatest threat to humanity and to the well-being of this country
and of all the European nations. With this man at the helm, I fear
for our future as a United Kingdom and as a leader in world
politics.”