Boris brands Cameron's politics 'piffle'

Boris' column might still get him in trouble

Wednesday, 20, Aug 2008 04:54

Conservative talk of Britain's 'broken society' is piffle according the Tory mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

Writing his column in the Telegraph newspaper, Mr Johnson said Britain's Olympic success proved things were not as bad in the country as many people believed.

"If you believe the British press, the youth of today is aimless, feckless and hopeless, addicted to their PlayStations, lacking in respect and lacking in the emotional discipline needed to cope with a big match occasion," he wrote.

"If you believe the politicians, we have a broken society, in which the courage and morals of young people have been sapped by welfarism and political correctness.

"And if you look at what is happening at the Beijing Olympics, you can see what piffle that is."

Mr Johnson has now attempted to clarify his comments.

A statement issued earlier today said Mr Cameron was right to draw attention to family breakdown.

"Boris Johnson is immensely proud of what young British athletes have achieved in Beijing," a spokesperson said.

"Their success is a tribute to their sense of ambition, determination and self discipline.

"These are the qualities he is keen to encourage in teenagers across London, where a lack of purpose, discipline and self-esteem lead many to wasted lives and violence.

"David Cameron is right to highlight that serious and destructive social breakdown," he continued.

"Politicians who pretend there is not a problem are complacent, and should recognise that there is a huge challenge if every teenager is to fulfil their potential as our athletes have managed this week."

It is not the first time Mr Johnson has treaded well off his political path in the course of fulfilling his duties as a journalist. A piece on Liverpool's 'victimhood culture' during Michael Howard's tenure as leader resulted in Mr Johnson being forced to travel to the city to issue an apology.

The comments may mark a return to the more traditional Boris – witty, independent of thought and liable to making political gaffes – rather than the composed on-message personality presented to voters during the London mayoral elections.