John Healy has resigned as Defence Secretary

Trying to think which MPs that definition of intellectual might include.
None immediately spring to mind.

Johnson, “intellectual”? Oh my. 🤣🤣🤣

There is no way he is "an intellectual".

AI puts it rather well imo..

"A genuine intellectual is defined by a deep, intrinsic passion for knowledge and ideas.

Rather than displaying expertise merely for external validation or status they are oriented toward continuous learning, critical analysis, and uncovering fundamental truths."

Meandrogrog

Maremia

Yes, there are numerous names that could be aimed at Johnson.
😃 😀 😄

Yes I quite agree, Churchillian, best PM by a country mile, especially during Covid, great intellectual, believer in personal freedom. There are some starters!

Oh yes. He really believes in personal freedom doesn’t he. At least we can agree on that. Thinks he’s totally above the law .

Meandrogrog

Maremia

Bo Jo the Clown. Can't remember who said that about Johnson.

There are quite a few choice names for Starmer too.

I would not say I was the most observant of people but even I have noticed this Government is trying to shut down freedom of speech. Any deviation from the party line is not tolerated.

So different from the Boris Government.

I think you are very ungrateful to this government. The only 'freedom of speech' they really seem to have tried to shut down is that of protesting against the continual use of the oil that is a huge contributor to dangerous climate change and protest against the genocide in Gaza. Both highly disapproved of by many Gnetters.

What they've been less successful with is shutting down hate speech and incitement to violence.

But what freedom of speech have you been prevented from exercising, Meandrogrog?

Shinamae

Meandrogrog

Maremia

Yes, there are numerous names that could be aimed at Johnson.
😃 😀 😄

Yes I quite agree, Churchillian, best PM by a country mile, especially during Covid, great intellectual, believer in personal freedom. There are some starters!

Loves to party 😉🥳🥳🥳🥳

I believe Starmer was photographed socialising too at the time. I remember seeing the photo.

Meandrogrog

Maremia

Yes, there are numerous names that could be aimed at Johnson.
😃 😀 😄

Yes I quite agree, Churchillian, best PM by a country mile, especially during Covid, great intellectual, believer in personal freedom. There are some starters!

Loves to party 😉🥳🥳🥳🥳

Maremia

Bo Jo the Clown. Can't remember who said that about Johnson.

There are quite a few choice names for Starmer too.

I would not say I was the most observant of people but even I have noticed this Government is trying to shut down freedom of speech. Any deviation from the party line is not tolerated.

So different from the Boris Government.

Maremia

Yes, there are numerous names that could be aimed at Johnson.
😃 😀 😄

Towering intellect is not one of them 🤣.

Here is a report on his time at Oxford
archive.thetab.com/uk/2019/07/25/champagne-vandalism-and-a-2-1-what-boris-was-like-at-oxford-115779

Bo Jo the Clown. Can't remember who said that about Johnson.

The Convict by one of the Guardian journalists.

Also The Greased Piglet, by Cameron.

RSALLAN2002

We get too much information these days: percentages being spent on this and that; what junior ministers think; what No 10 support staff are up to; who's doing what to whom; character analyses and input from political commentators; opinion polls on what should be done. It seems to me we were better off in the old days (pre 1960s maybe) when all we got was broad brush stuff and we made up our minds on that. Politicians seemed bigger then, which was probably a good thing.

I would not change the current quantity of information for anything.

In the 1960s and before ministers and their civil servants got away with murder because we knew so little of what was going on and could not hold them to account.

We get too much information these days: percentages being spent on this and that; what junior ministers think; what No 10 support staff are up to; who's doing what to whom; character analyses and input from political commentators; opinion polls on what should be done. It seems to me we were better off in the old days (pre 1960s maybe) when all we got was broad brush stuff and we made up our minds on that. Politicians seemed bigger then, which was probably a good thing.

Maremia

Yes, there are numerous names that could be aimed at Johnson.
😃 😀 😄

Yes I quite agree, Churchillian, best PM by a country mile, especially during Covid, great intellectual, believer in personal freedom. There are some starters!

Yes, there are numerous names that could be aimed at Johnson.
😃 😀 😄

Maybe because the defence of our country is very important.

Tuliptree

Maremia

Meandrogrog, there is interesting 'debate' online about how intelligent is Johnson.
Some say his classical referencing creates a superficial impression of depth.

Exactly -using classical references when you know full well that the majority of people won’t ‘get’ them has several explanations - you’re a supercilious up yourself spoilt entitled git with a massive inferiority complex. or you’re not bright enough to explain an idea clearly . Probably both in fact

Ooh, nasty.

Maremia

Might be called intellectual snobbery on Johnson's part.
Michael Rosen posted very funny 'translations' of the pontifications.

But on the other hand might be called towering intellect!

Might be called intellectual snobbery on Johnson's part.
Michael Rosen posted very funny 'translations' of the pontifications.

Only Gransnet could morph a thread on John Healey's resignation into Boris Johnson & Peppa Pig. Love it!

I totally agree with you Tuliptree.
Using any classical or literary term that people may not ‘get’ does indeed carry implications about the speaker.

meandrogrog Boris Johnson did dumb down occasionally, I remember him speaking about Peppa Pig, but of course he was criticised for that also.

Tuliptree

Maremia

Meandrogrog, there is interesting 'debate' online about how intelligent is Johnson.
Some say his classical referencing creates a superficial impression of depth.

Exactly -using classical references when you know full well that the majority of people won’t ‘get’ them has several explanations - you’re a supercilious up yourself spoilt entitled git with a massive inferiority complex. or you’re not bright enough to explain an idea clearly . Probably both in fact

Boris should not have to dumb himself down, its up to others to reach his intelligence levels.

eazybee 👍🏻 classics are rather niche, you either enjoy them or you don’t.

Boris Johnson enjoys them.