Boris Johnson: Trending quotes

“The only thing they've got to do is clear the dead bodies away”

Boris Johnson

Theresa May faces calls to sack Boris Johnson over Libya comments https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/oct/03/sirte-can-become-a-holiday-destination-if-it-clears-the-dead-bodies-says-johnson, in the Guardian; published October 4, 2017
2017
Context: There's a group of UK business people, wonderful guys who want to invest in. The only thing they've got to do is clear the dead bodies away and then they'll be there.

Dead

“I'm backing David Cameron's campaign out of pure, cynical self-interest.”

Boris Johnson

"Conference Diary", The Independent, 5 October 2005, p. 7.
On The 2005 Conservative Leadership Contest.
2000s, 2005

“Where there are neglected opportunities we will seize on them, and we will focus on the priorities of the people of London: cutting crime, improving transport, protecting green space, delivering affordable housing, giving taxpayers value for money in every one of the 32 boroughs.”

Boris Johnson

2000s, 2008, First Speech As London Mayor (May 3, 2008)

Money , People , Housing

“You shaped the office of mayor. You gave it national prominence and when London was attacked on 7 July 2005 you spoke for London.”

Boris Johnson

2000s, 2008, First Speech As London Mayor (May 3, 2008)

“As snow-jobs go, this beats the Himalayas.”

Boris Johnson

"The BBC was doing its job - bring back Gilligan", Daily Telegraph, 29 January 2004, p. 21.
Reaction to the Hutton Report.
2000s, 2004

“We can all spend an awfully long time going over lots of stuff that I’ve written over the last 30 years… all of which in my view have been taken out of context, but never mind… I’m afraid that there is such a rich thesaurus now of things that I have said that have been one way or another, through what alchemy I do not know, somehow misconstrued that it would take me too long to engage in a full global itinerary of apology to all concerned.”

Boris Johnson

in his first meeting with the press during visit by US Secretary of state John Kerry in July 2016 "Theresa May dodges question about Boris Johnson's use of racial slurs" http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/pmqs-theresa-may-boris-johnson-racist-slur-picanninies-party-kenyan-obama-dodges-question-uk-foreign-a7146126.html, Independent (July 20, 2016); "Kerry poker-faced as press takes Johnson to task for 'outright lies'" http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/20/politics/boris-johnson-john-kerry-presser/index.html, CNN (July 20, 2016)
2010s, 2016

Way , Time

“Some readers will no doubt say that a devil is inside me; and though my faith is a bit like Magic FM in the Chilterns, in that the signal comes and goes, I can only hope that isn't so.”

Boris Johnson

"What's so funny about the Passion?", Daily Telegraph, 4 March 2004, p. 24.
2000s, 2004

Faith , Hope

“I love tennis with a passion. I challenged Boris Becker to a match once and he said he was up for it but he never called back. I bet I could make him run around.”

Boris Johnson

Hickey, The Express, 21 March 2005.
2000s, 2005

Love , Passion

“We have a new team ready to go in to City Hall. Where there have been mistakes we will rectify them. Where there are achievements we will build on them.”

Boris Johnson

2000s, 2008, First Speech As London Mayor (May 3, 2008)

“And I want to congratulate you Brian on your great common sense and decency with which you put your case and I do hope that it is not the end of our discussions about the police.”

Boris Johnson

2000s, 2008, First Speech As London Mayor (May 3, 2008)

Hope , Sense

“This has been a marathon election as you can tell with a record turnout and I think it has been good for politics and it has been good for London.”

Boris Johnson

2000s, 2008, First Speech As London Mayor (May 3, 2008)

Thinking

“Not only did I want Bush to win, but we threw the entire weight of The Spectator behind him.”

Boris Johnson

Have I Got Views for You, p272
2000s, 2006

“Labour's appalling agenda, encouraging the teaching of homosexuality in schools, and all the rest of it.”

Boris Johnson

The Spectator 15 April 2000
2000s, 2000

School

“I have not had an affair with Petronella. It is complete balderdash. It is an inverted pyramid of piffle. It is all completely untrue and ludicrous conjecture. I am amazed people can write this drivel.”

Boris Johnson

Simon Walters, "Boris, Petsy and a 'pyramid of piffle'", Mail on Sunday, 7 November 2004, p. 7.
Denying accusations of his having an affair with Petronella Wyatt.
2000s, 2004

People

“Dark forces dragged me away from the keyboard, swirling forces of irresistible intensity and power.”

Boris Johnson

"A wise guy playing the fool to win", Sunday Times, 16 July 2000, p. 17.
While at the Daily Telegraph, explaining why his work was usually late.
2000s, 2000

“And as for Ken, Mayor Livingstone, I think you have been a very considerable public servant and a distinguished leader of this city.”

Boris Johnson

2000s, 2008, First Speech As London Mayor (May 3, 2008)

Thinking

“Yes, cannabis is dangerous, but no more than other perfectly legal drugs. It's time for a rethink, and the Tory party - the funkiest, most jiving party on Earth - is where it's happening.”

Boris Johnson

"No one obeys the speed limit except a motorised rickshaw", Daily Telegraph, 12 July 2001, p. 27.
2000s, 2001

Time

“My friends, as I have discovered myself, there are no disasters, only opportunities. And, indeed, opportunities for fresh disasters.”

Boris Johnson

" Trust me, being sacked isn't all bad http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2004/12/02/do0202.xml", Daily Telegraph, 2 December 2004, p. 26.
On being sacked from the Tory front bench.
2000s, 2004

“Tremendous, little short of superb. On cracking form.”

Boris Johnson

David Charter, Joanna Bale, "Tories suggest door will open for Boris Johnson to return", The Times, 15 November 2004, p. 7.
Asked how he was feeling after being sacked as Shadow Arts Minister for having misled Michael Howard.
2000s, 2004

“If we left the EU, we would end this sterile debate, and we would have to recognise that most of our problems are not caused by “Bwussels”, but by chronic British short-termism, inadequate management, sloth, low skills, a culture of easy gratification and underinvestment in both human and physical capital and infrastructure.”

Boris Johnson

Telegraph article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10052646/Quitting-the-EU-wont-solve-our-problems-says-Boris-Johnson.html (12 May 2013)
Peking university, Beijing (14 October 2013) Joint speech to students http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/oct/14/boris-johnson-charm-offensive-china
2010s, 2013

Problem