Across the pond, Americans and Canadians are celebrating the comeback of groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, and his predictions about the coming of spring. Here at home, an announcement of a far less welcome variety is anticipated – as Boris Johnson attempts to go the whole hog and stage another political revival.
The first official Groundhog Day took place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, USA on 2 February 1887. However, since the release of the 1993 movie, in which the same day is lived over and over again, Groundhog Day has become synonymous with a feeling of ‘déjà vu’. Literally translated as ‘already seen’, it signifies the feeling of history repeating itself. A feeling that has become all too familiar in British politics.
Whether it’s the recycling of old policies, the return of a failed bill under a new name, or the latest comeback plan of a disgraced politician, the UK seems to have its own tradition akin to Groundhog Day. The only difference being that here it’s a year-round festival.
Groundhog Boris
Although Boris Johnson is not the only failed Conservative PM planning a comeback – Liz Truss is also rumoured to have similar ideas – he seems to be the one hoping to hog all the limelight. Having recently attempted his revival in the Conservative leadership race, he then bolted for his burrow at the first sign of trouble, when failure looked inevitable.
He is also likely the best-funded, especially in light of the generous gift of £1mn from former Brexit Party supporter, Christopher Harborne. Someone else’s money always helps when you’re trying to reinvent yourself or live high on the hog.
Of course, any comeback attempt must surely rely on the ability of the public, and the Conservative Party, to forget, if not to forgive. And many would agree that there’s so much that, in Johnson’s case, should never be forgiven, or forgotten.
Whether it’s the Partygate scandal, the appointment of the BBC’s chair, the Downing Street refurbishment, or his failure to act when members of his government fell foul of the ministerial code, the list is a long one. And if history is to repeat itself, in true Groundhog Day fashion, then just wait a while and there’ll be another Johnson scandal along any minute.
The hog and pony show
The “Save Big Dog” campaign may have failed but could “Save Big Hog” work? With so little to recommend him, and so many reasons never to let Johnson anywhere near power ever again, can we afford to find out?
Leaving aside, for the moment, Johnson’s own reasons, there are those in the Conservative Party and the media who still put their faith in him. His favourite newspaper, The Telegraph, is a prime example. Associate editor, Camilla Tominey, recently wrote that “his star factor hasn’t gone away”, adding that “the Tories desperately need a Boris comeback”.
As for Johnson himself, his narcissistic personality traits means he has a ridiculously high opinion of himself and his abilities. Never one to put the needs of the country ahead of his own lust for power, his recent comments – that Putin threatened him with a missile strike – are a prime example. The supposed (and denied) warning was a threat against Johnson, not against Britain, at least according to Johnson. Whether this was actually said and whether or not it was “banter”, perhaps we were all supposed to be concerned about the risk to the man rather than the risk to the nation. Unfortunately for him, not everyone thinks in the same way as the honourable member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
We’ve heard it all before
When it comes to the Big Hog himself, the country at least has learned to take his chattering with a pinch of salt. Attempts to rehabilitate Johnson, whether his own or those of others, will no doubt see a repetition of lies ‘already seen’.
An oft-repeated but frequently discredited lie is that of the vaccine roll-out, supposedly only possible thanks to Brexit. It’s a particular favourite of social care minister, Helen Whately, who used it again this week. When she tried it out on LBC Radio’s Nick Ferrari, the now “reluctant” Brexiter responded with: “Had there not been a virus that killed many thousands, there wouldn’t be much else to hang the hat on for leaving (the EU).” Well quite!
Of course, Johnson’s favourite vanity exercise is to board a jet to Ukraine and pay a visit to Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Except that the Ukrainian president now says it would not be “correct” to back Johnson for PM at this particular time, “when Rishi is prime minister”. It seems the Churchillian tribute act is not as effective as it used to be.
It’s frankly absurd that the people of Kyiv seem more familiar with Johnson than his own constituents in Uxbridge. Hardly surprising then that rumours abound of a move to Oxfordshire – an attempt to reclaim his former parliamentary safe seat in Henley?
While it’s true the Conservatives desperately need someone to save them from an embarrassing election defeat, they should question whether the solution to that conundrum will ever be Johnson. No matter what he, or his supporters, might say.
According to tradition, if the groundhog comes out of its hole on Groundhog Day and sees its own shadow, it gets scared and runs back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter. Johnson may bark, grunt, scream and whistle all he likes, but regardless of the weather, perhaps he’ll have to end up scurrying back to his burrow with his tail between his legs. Hopefully resisting the perennial urge to make a reappearance.
Johnson, when he looks in the mirror, may think he’s looking at a future PM, or even a world king. Most of the country, however, now sees him for what he is – a has-been hog-tied by his own dangerous and self-serving actions.
