Xiang Changhe Column
Johnson resigns: Cheng is also "non-mainstream", but also "non-mainstream"
Xiang Changhe (International Studies Scholar)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was "forced" and sadly announced his resignation, which has become a hot event in the international political arena recently. This event may have pre-booked many media's top ten international news in 2022, at least the top ten British news.
Looking back at Johnson's political career, it can be described as "non-mainstream", but also "non-mainstream".
Johnson, a journalist, is a typical "non-mainstream" politician.
Johnson's scraggly, tousled hair is similar to Trump's "custom hairstyle" - in an era when social media is sweeping everything, Johnson's image is clearly recognizable from traditionally well-mannered refined politicians.
In addition, Johnson is good at lowering his body, deliberately exporting vulgarity, and interpreting the "non-mainstream" style to the fullest. Therefore, he is like a duck to water in a Western-style democracy where votes are king.
Johnson was elected to the House of Commons in 2001 and successfully ran for mayor of London in 2008.
In 2016, Johnson often made strong anti-EU rhetoric and became the standard-bearer of the British "Brexit movement", publicly opposing then British Prime Minister David Cameron.
The United Kingdom released the "black swan" - after the referendum decided to leave the European Union, although Johnson failed to reach the sky in one step, he became the foreign secretary of the new government.
Australia's "Sydney Morning Herald" summed it up like this: Johnson can pretend to be crazy and sell stupid, make jokes, avoid facts and make falsehoods, and change his political stance like an octopus changing color.
These abilities led to his miraculous promotion from mayor of London to prime minister of the United Kingdom.
In 2019, the UK and the EU were at an impasse in the "Brexit" negotiations, and Johnson, as the leader of the "hard Brexit", became the new British Prime Minister.
It is said that all the gifts from fate have secretly marked their prices.
Johnson achieved political success through his "non-mainstream" style, but also fell from the high ground because of his "non-mainstream" style.
First, "fancy anti-epidemic" has caused controversy.
In March 2020, when the new crown epidemic was raging in the United Kingdom, the Johnson government adopted a "herd immunity" strategy, which caused an uproar in global public opinion.
Shortly after that, Johnson himself was "hit" and became one of the victims of "herd immunity".
Johnson was admitted to the intensive care unit at one point, and his coronavirus-ravaged appearance shocked the world.
The second is to take the lead in repeatedly violating the epidemic prevention measures formulated by their own government.
Since the outbreak of the epidemic, Johnson and his subordinates have held parties in violation of epidemic prevention measures many times. The public is extremely angry at the "double standard practice" of the Prime Minister requiring the whole people to abide by the anti-epidemic regulations, but he himself gathers to drink.
The results of the "Partygate" survey, released on May 22 this year, detailed 16 parties at Johnson's home, office and other government offices between May 2020 and April 2021.
Johnson, who was fined £50 for attending a party during lockdown, has apologised but insists he did not know he was breaking the rules.
The third is to appoint cronies with moral taint.
In late June, Johnson's appointed deputy Conservative whip, Christopher Pincher, resigned over allegations of misconduct.
More misconduct came after Pinch was accused of harassing two guests at a private member's club in London, raising questions about whether Johnson knew of Pinch's character and still entrusted him with it.
Fourth, the economic downturn dragged down Johnson.
Britain's recent high inflation rate, the public is generally dissatisfied with the Johnson government's ineffective response to rising prices.
In addition, the Conservative Party suffered successive defeats in the local elections in May and the by-elections in the lower house of parliament in June. People in the party believe that Johnson has become a "negative asset" in the election, so calls for Johnson to step down have been further raised.
After the Ukrainian crisis broke out, Johnson visited Kyiv twice in an attempt to boost his approval rating, but it was ineffective.
In this context, with the cabinet members resigning in groups to "force the palace", Johnson was completely isolated in the government and the Conservative Party, and finally had no choice but to announce his resignation.
Just imagine, if Johnson, after taking over No. 10 Downing Street, behaves in a normal way and abandons all kinds of "non-mainstream" styles, it may be another fate.
Generally speaking, from Trump to Johnson, they are all "trends" and beneficiaries of the populist trend that has swept Western society in recent years.
The traditional political forces are no longer in the limelight, populism is surging, and the rise of new media and social media has broken the power of traditional newspapers and TV stations to influence public opinion, allowing these "non-mainstream" people who break the rules to emerge.
"Non-mainstream" can attract votes to the political stage, but it is the biggest flaw in specific governance. After all, economic development and social governance cannot be achieved by shouting a few attractive slogans. It requires real swords and real guns. ability.
Johnson won't have to worry about making money after he resigns. The "non-mainstream" style may make him sell more for money-making businesses such as autobiography and speech tours as regular outgoing prime ministers.
The website of the Spanish newspaper Le Monde believes that, as Johnson leaves Downing Street, what awaits him may be a new life full of money, and even the limelight may overshadow former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has made speeches, published books every year. , tours and guest appearances can earn $12 million.
Johnson was paid 145,000 euros for a brief speech in India when he left the Foreign Office in 2019.
"He's already a global brand, and if managed properly, he can make a lot of money," predicts public relations expert Mark Borkowski. "His appeal goes well beyond the typical speaking circle."