Is being an 'honest liar' a big thing in politics.

Opponents of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump seem confused as to why people support politicians who seem like such blatant charlatans.

Perhaps though, this is the wrong way of thinking about it. When trust for politicians is low and people acceot that politics is a cynical game, maybe its an advantage to be seen as more obviously cynical.

Labour's leader Keir Starmer is now tanking in the polls in spite of making 'integrity' a big part of his pitch and people wonder way this isnt working but I think part of the answer lies in thw question. People know they are being sold a brand and find it patronising whereas Johnson is an entertaining blag artist.

People have a strange admiration for people who blag things and get away with it. If all politicians are liars, why not go with the one who tells the best lies? Do you want your bullshit bland and technocratic and sold to you via focus group or do you prefer your bullshit to have a human face?

I am not saying any of this is good but I think the centre left really suffers through following the polls and its focus group orientated politics.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

To me, the ones who paint themselves as sincere tend to pander to the whiners while condescending to the masses.

I don’t think Johnson and the Orange Menace are in the same category. Orange Menace learned one thing from his father: brand development. He has zero other skills. He is quite literally dangerous. Whereas Johnson may be brutish, but he’s still a statesman.

The “honest” ones are rarely honest. They claim to believe in science, but manipulate it to support their agenda.
They point fingers at the opposition, and yet use many of the same tactics.

It’s a mirage.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@JoeyFoxx For one thing, Boris isnt his real mame. He 'became' Boris at Oxford and developed his clever fool act there.

He is a blag artist, just very British in style which is maybe why he seems statesmanlike to Americans. Its like how you guys have a Roman general with a British accent in movies to add 'authenticity'. Our accent gives us an old money kind of cred, whether we deserve it or not.

Trump was a very American blag artist. He literally is both a salesman and a reality tv star.

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

@Burnley123 fair enough

I still think Boris has more upstairs