You can’t write him off.
Boris Johnson has discovered his method again into the general public’s good books earlier than and if his hopes of a political comeback are nonetheless alive, the approaching week may very well be a decisive second.
The preparations are underneath method. The former prime minister has spent many hours with barristers, finding out 6,000 pages of fabric to put collectively a sworn statement that displays favourably on his management throughout the pandemic.
The early drafts have been briefed to The Times. These don’t present a full account of what Mr Johnson is making ready to say however do provide a glimpse into his redemption technique.
That technique is two-pronged. On the one hand, he’ll wholeheartedly apologise for his errors – maybe realising that a few of his former colleagues have come off badly after failing to indicate contrition.
However, the mea culpa will solely go thus far. Like others who’ve gone earlier than him, Mr Johnson needs the historical past books to recollect him favourably.
His argument might be that his authorities bought the massive calls proper: growing hospital capability at pace, procuring ventilators and, in fact, the vaccine rollout.
He may even rigorously place himself within the division that’s forming between the scientific and medical advisors and his former cupboard colleagues.
Like Matt Hancock, Mr Johnson will keep away from criticism of Rishi Sunak and his controversial Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. He will declare that Sir Patrick Vallance and Sir Chris Whitty have been consulted earlier than it was launched. That is one thing they each reject.
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Mr Johnson has the benefit of going after lots of his former colleagues. It means he has time to organize his response to the unflattering depictions which have been made by former colleagues.
Dominic Cummings, his former advisor, described him as a “trolley”, continually veering backward and forward and incapable of taking decisive motion. As apologetic as he’s feeling, Mr Johnson is unlikely to simply accept that characterisation.
He will undoubtedly have opinions of his personal about Mr Cummings however he could deem it unwise to interact in private assaults. It just isn’t one thing that’s taking part in effectively with the general public.
Mr Johnson’s group deny this leaked draft has come from his camp however he could effectively have wished to get his narrative out earlier than it’s painstakingly unpicked by legal professionals.
We have a way now of his model of occasions, however will it bear scrutiny?
Source: information.sky.com”