Boris Johnson: another photo shoot....

He’s always done it hasn’t he? bullingdon, swinging in that harness.....he just loves the camera!

He's working on the bread and circuses theory. Keep the plebs entertained and they won't realise what a d*ckhead (apologies to those offended) he really is.

My lock down brain is struggling with it. I can’t remember, pre pandemic, whether this has always been the norm. And then, of course there was the referendum, several elections, changes of PM. It’s like constant electioneering. When he does these photo shoots it’s stopping people from doing their jobs as well. Maybe it does get messages across better?? I don’t (much as I loathe him) intend this to be Boris bashing. I’m just genuinely bemused. I just turned on the tv and there he was again dressed up somewhere and I just groaned....

I'm currently reading Tom Bower's biography of Johnson.
It's a brilliant insight, particularly into his childhood and relationship with his father.

Good grief there are so many people on these pages moaning, complaining, pointing the finger at what Boris does or doesn't do. Not getting at you Maybee, but this discussion will just degenerate into what you refer to as Boris bashing. It could be far more elucidating
I would be more interested to discuss the workings behind his media team and his promotion advisors. My DD's friend works for a top politician as an image consultant to enhance his reputation and photo shoots are carefully planned and orchestrated. It's 2020, that's how it works, if they don't do it there are complaints in a different way.

Fanny now that is more interesting!

Ellianne. I really am just querying whether this has always been the norm which is why I didn’t just add it onto another thread. And asking people if they think these photo shoots serve a purpose.

Maybe he’s not Boris - maybe he’s Mr Ben !!!!!!

Now that would be amusing. Perhaps tomorrow he’ll be a cowboy! Or a spaceman...

You think that's bad - up here we've got Nicola on TV every day spouting the usual stuff. It's not made a blind bit of difference to the Covid numbers up here but it's a lovely PP broadcast for the dire SNP. At least Boris only does a press conference once in a while.

I think PMs and wannabe PMs have embraced the photo opportunities for several decades, I vaguely reminded Margaret Thatcher being photographed in a British Tank?

There have been so many of these photo opportunities, of Boris in various overalls and hard hats doing bricklaying, serving in a canteen, heaving boxes a factory, lots of schools visited, but the one which sticks in my mind is Boris sitting cross legged on the floor of a classroom, back to back with a small child, with his little pencil drawing of an idealised house that children always draw ( door in the middle with Windows all around) with a proud smile on his face. It was embarrassing. What on earth are they thinking.

There is work to be done, he is the PM, these silly set ups do not endender any confidence in him, at least none from me.

Jane10

You think that's bad - up here we've got Nicola on TV every day spouting the usual stuff. It's not made a blind bit of difference to the Covid numbers up here but it's a lovely PP broadcast for the dire SNP. At least Boris only does a press conference once in a while.

Its Jeane today, not Nicola. ? Now you can have a go at her too.

Total cases per million in the UK, 23,145

Total cases per million in Scotland, 16,343

While its not a competition, something must be making the difference.....

I would be more interested to discuss the workings behind his media team and his promotion advisors. My DD's friend works for a top politician as an image consultant to enhance his reputation and photo shoots are carefully planned and orchestrated. It's 2020, that's how it works, if they don't do it there are complaints in a different way.

So we're supposed to be rivetted by the way that the propaganda and image making machine works?
What a splendid way to take our minds off our shambolic government and the upcoming disaster of a transition end for which no-one is prepared because the government doesn't know what it's doing yet..

Style over substance. Pathetic

(Though I suppose if it draws people's attention to how thoroughly they are manipulated it has a small benefit...)

Maybe he should have a job in a circus!

I am offended that the PR team think we will be so impressed by him dashing about from factory to school that we will fail to notice the mess he is making of governance. Or perhaps, a bit like with Trump's advisors, they just like him out of the way to leave the real work to the grown ups?

Alegrias check the deaths. 25% more deaths per million than in England. She failed to mention that. ?

I think it's all down to Carrie really. Imagine you've been stuck with the man self isolating. He slips out to his office every now and then but he is under your feet all the time. Wouldn't you send him off somewhere (anywhere) to do a photoshoot. As for the dressing up- who knows?

It wasn't that long ago that we had a thread 'Where's Boris'
Just saying ?

Jane10

Alegrias check the deaths. 25% more deaths per million than in England. She failed to mention that. ?

Check your sources Jane10.

33% more Covid deaths per million in England than in Scotland.

Ellianne

Good grief there are so many people on these pages moaning, complaining, pointing the finger at what Boris does or doesn't do. Not getting at you Maybee, but this discussion will just degenerate into what you refer to as Boris bashing. It could be far more elucidating
I would be more interested to discuss the workings behind his media team and his promotion advisors. My DD's friend works for a top politician as an image consultant to enhance his reputation and photo shoots are carefully planned and orchestrated. It's 2020, that's how it works, if they don't do it there are complaints in a different way.

Is it Sunak ? I know you can’t say but apparently he has image consultants who inter alia release photographs . Didn’t like the latest - a hoodie with a shirt and tie? Really? Also Johnson employs an official photographer which I find beyond parody

Well, I am no fan of Boris Johnson or this Conservative government but having photoshoots and news conference while visiting various workplaces, finance centres and hospitals etc began during the 2018 general election. In many ways, it has been very effective in portraying Boris and his cabinet members as "being out there" among all that is going on in their hi-vis jackets and casual clothes.

The above has to be compared to Keir Starmer who always seems to be in Westminster when interviewed or photographed dressed in his pristine suits often looking very out of touch, which as recent events have demonstrated he often he is.

I don't actually know sw because as you say they can't say. I'm guessing the politicians don't like people knowing they've had a lot of "help" to make them look good!

Maizie you misunderstood me with your .
As the OP was talking about photo shoots, locations, camera set ups etc. I thought there was an opportunity here to discuss exactly that. Like GrannyGravy's perceptive comment of Margaret Thatcher in a British tank and its implications.
The style is important as well as the substance!