The Clown Prince Ascends to his Throne

Mace | 29th January 2020 | Uncategorised
themacelogo

There’s plenty of egg-on-face - or just embarrassed silence - for the many pundit hacks, often former Tory colleagues of Boris, who wrote him off as a priapic clown.

There’s plenty of egg-on-face - or just embarrassed silence - for the many pundit hacks, often former Tory colleagues of Boris, who wrote him off as a priapic clown. Some have been heaping on their disapproval for years. Their ranks include Max Hastings, his former editor, (‘The Tory party is about to foist a tasteless joke upon the British people.’), Simon Heffer, Peter Oborne and Bruce ‘Brute’ Anderson who flounced out of the Spectator’s offices back in 2002 in a fit of pique after Boris commissioned an article by George Galloway. ‘This Clown Prince Must Be Stopped’ was a typical Bruce column in the anti-Boris years that followed. The left were no keener. When Corridor caught up with Armando Iannucci (creator of The Thick of It) before the election, he said: “I think Boris will be gone by next week, to be honest. When your family starts resigning, that’s probably a bad sign.” It will be interesting to see how many pundits change their Boris tune in the interests of not having their access cut off Today Programme-style. The Brute is first in his drinks column. ‘‘The PM is now master of the battlefield...if we can draw one conclusion it is this: never underestimate Boris’ Johnson.”  ...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.

Brussels Opens EU Arctic Policy Review With Public Consultation

Mace | December 29, 2025

The European Commission launches a public consultation to update EU Arctic policy amid climate pressures and rising geopolitical stakes.

China slaps dairy levies of up to 42.7 percent on EU exports

Mace | December 23, 2025

Beijing imposes provisional anti subsidy duties on EU dairy products, deepening trade tensions and hitting exporters across the bloc

Germany calls for overhaul of EU foreign subsidy rules

Mace | December 23, 2025

Berlin urges a full rethink of EU foreign subsidy controls, warning current rules impose heavy burdens and risk harming investment.

EU Council signs off delay and simplification of deforestation law

Mace | December 23, 2025

EU governments approve targeted revisions delaying the deforestation regulation, easing compliance demands while keeping core environmental safeguards in place

EU moves to expand carbon border levy to shut loopholes in polluting imports

Mace | December 19, 2025

Brussels plans to widen its carbon border levy, targeting downstream goods and loopholes to prevent carbon leakage and protect EU industry

Thai baht surge to multi year highs tightens squeeze on exporters

Mace | December 16, 2025

Thailand’s baht hits multi year peak, squeezing exporters and forcing policy makers to juggle currency stability, trade competitiveness and fragile economic recovery

Italy Joins Belgium in Challenging EU Plan to Use Frozen Russian Assets

Mace | December 15, 2025

Italy aligns with Belgium to oppose Brussels’ plan to deploy frozen Russian assets for Ukraine, complicating efforts ahead of key EU summit.

Democratic Led States Sue Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

Mace | December 13, 2025

Twenty US states challenge Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee, arguing it exceeds presidential authority and threatens labour markets.

EU Buy European Push Put on Ice as Member State Divisions Stall Plan

Mace | December 12, 2025

Deep splits among EU capitals force Brussels to delay its Buy European procurement push amid fears of protectionism and higher costs.

EU Council Signs Off EU UK Fishing Quotas Deal for 2026

Mace | December 12, 2025

Brussels approves annual EU UK fisheries agreement for 2026, setting shared quotas and access rules under the post Brexit framework.