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Johnson isn’t a ‘disgrace to democracy across the world’, his ex-comms chief suggests

10 Jun 2021 2 minute read
Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture by Chatham House (CC BY 2.0)

Boris Johonson is not a “disgrace to democracy across the world”, his ex-comms chief has suggested.

Guto Harri, who was Communications Director for Johnson while he was Mayor of London, insisted on BBC’s Politics Live that the PM is “not Donald Trump”.

The Welsh broadcaster made the comments in a discussion about what Labour’s Westminster leader, Keir Starmer, could learn from the success of US President Joe Biden.

Harri said that the Labour leader has a “higher bar to reach” than Biden, because the incumbent Prime Minister is “not somebody who is dragging the office of state through the mud”.

On Joe Biden he said: “I think it’s refreshing that you can be pale, male, stale, as the term goes and be regarded as a progressive who’s good for the world. That’s refreshing.

“He did of course have an opponent who was a disgrace to democracy across the world. That is not the case here. Whatever you think of Boris Johnson, he is not Donald Trump.

‘Low bar’ 

He added: “He’s not somebody who is dragging the office of state through the mud, and therefore there was a pretty low bar to appear more statesmanlike, to appear more unifying, to appear more civilised than his opponent. I think he’s done a great job.

“But Keir Starmer has a higher bar to reach and at the start there I think there is a clue. He needs to be a little bit more gritty, a little bit more real.

“We need to smell the guy. We need to find out what he believes in. Not have him sort of posing in front of wallpapers at John Lewis when there’s so many more important things for the UK to be wrestling with.”


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Philip Jones
Philip Jones
3 years ago

Always sad to hear a Cymro sucking up to the colonialist rulers. Maybe a seat in the House of Lords beckons…..?

arthur owen
3 years ago
Reply to  Philip Jones

What nonsense from you.

Stephen Owen
Stephen Owen
3 years ago
Reply to  Philip Jones

Yes very disappointing to hear Guto Harri supporting Boris, Trump is hardly much of a bar to be above. Boris is an absolute disgrace and a clown.

Quornby
Quornby
3 years ago

Guto “yes Boris” Harri. If you should read this Johnson is an international laughing stock and you are his apologist.

Stephen Owen
Stephen Owen
3 years ago
Reply to  Quornby

Boris is an absolute disgrace and a laughing stock, it would be funny if the situation was not so serious.

R W
R W
3 years ago
Reply to  Quornby

And Guto Harri is a disgrace to Wales.

Gill Jones
Gill Jones
3 years ago

Guto Harri is a disgrace. Cywilydd arnat!

Gaynor
Gaynor
3 years ago

This man went to Oxford, seriously Guto you have left your credible journalism days way behind and are now a paid up member of the BJ sycophancy club.

Mark
Mark
3 years ago

None so blind than those who refuse to see, BJ is an habitual lier. He’s been sacked for lying, just how low is Guto Harri prepared to go I wonder?

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