Covid-19 has burst Boris Johnson’s political balloon – Helen Martin

Until recently, television presenters and journalists (in UK programmes) treated him with automatic respect as a Prime Minister heading a party with massive English support dominating the UK vote.

It seemed that criticism of the PM was forbidden, and acceptance that he refused interviews was compulsory. But in many ways, coronavirus has burst his political balloon.

He had so many nonsensical policies such as herd immunity and putting the economy before saving lives, but as time goes on almost every appearance or statement he makes is melting down his status. He and his MPs or MSPs are now facing TV attacks and he is being ridiculed and mocked by several channels around the globe.

More important than all that is a rumour going around that the Tory Party is considering how he could be replaced. Is that true? Who knows?

Rather than rudely shouting down the fence-sitting Corbyn, he now faces Keir Starmer who is a far more intelligent and challenging opposition.

As well as his pathetic dealing with Covid, it’s what Boris is up to with other subjects that may well be shoogling his coat hook in No.10.

He is still forging ahead with Brexit, refusing any extension of the transition period. It becomes more obvious to all that his goal is no-deal as soon as possible.

Not all Tories, MPs or voters, are happy with that. Many wanted a good deal. But it’s essential for some of his friends, Cabinet and financial sponsors who are backing him, to preserve their tax havens – which the EU has pledged to crack down on. Any ongoing deal with the EU would require meeting some regulations, including tax haven restrictions.

Other Tories are logically concerned about the UK’s future economy, employment and benefit costs and how the loans for Covid coping can be repaid. If only the poor can be taxed and the rich don’t pay full tax, no recovery can be expected.

The whole world has seen its economy slump, so no-one really knows how tough the future will be, how many businesses give up, and how many global companies and stores leave the UK. Does Boris get any of this?

Added to that are the deals (not highly reported to the public) which are going on with the US. Trump is insisting that origin labels should be wiped out on our imports of chlorinated chicken and hormone boosted beef, etc. US standards are far lower than EU regulations. Not surprisingly, US food is cheaper and animal care is almost non-existent. It’s hard for principled Tories to support that, because not only does it reduce our food quality, but it puts our farming and food industry at risk. There’s lots more . . . privatising the NHS etc.

The future of the UK in Boris’s hands is a nightmare for many, no matter which party they vote for. It’s interesting to think how Boris will be referred to in history and whether it will be just his own loss of standing or whether he drags the Tories down too.

Certainly if I was a Conservative I’d be desperate to find a better leader and a better future.

I do know some Tories who care about the people, the population, and the climate, but there’s no chance of dealing with any of that with Johnson holding the reins.

It’s clear Boris has definitely boosted the desire for Scottish independence. Ironically Scottish Tories may hate him secretly even more than do the SNP.