The tragic role of Boris Johnson: Mirror Politics morning briefing
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The House of Commons returns today after a two-week Easter break that has been dominated by international events.
It would be a surprise if there were no requests for statements on North Korea , the Turkish referendum and the chemical weapons attack in Syria .
Of course it is in the Government’s gift to offer a statement voluntarily but given Boris Johnson’s less than glorious recent outings ministers may have to be dragged to the chamber.
Johnson’s first serious intervention since becoming Foreign Secretary saw his call for further sanctions against Moscow humiliatingly rejected by his G7 colleagues .
Johnson’s appointment was one of Theresa May’s more curious choices.
(Photo: REUTERS)
His brand of brain box buffoonery has a limited audience in Britain but plays especially badly in those countries which regard foreign policy as an earnest piece of statecraft.
Recently he has come across as a character actor who resents the fact he has never been asked to perform King Lear.
Though it has never been clear whether he is a clown who wishes to be taken seriously or a serious person who always wants to play the clown.
Johnson’s role was diminished as soon as Mrs May decided to hand responsibility for Brexit from the Foreign Office to the Department for Exiting the EU.
He can hardly complain about that, nor about the degrading of the UK’s position as the bridge between America and Europe, given he was the most prominent cheerleader for our withdrawal from the European Union.
If there is any consolation for Johnson, it will be that Philip Hammond’s reputation is also on the ebb.
(Photo: PA)
The Chancellor faces Treasury questions for the first time since he was forced to rip up the centrepiece of his Budget .
At some point he is going to have to explain how he is going to find the £2billion he would have raised from increasing National Insurance contributions.
Money, it should be remembered, that was earmarked for social care.
Brexit, of course, continues to dominate almost every aspect of Parliamentary life.
Today the Culture, Media and Sport committee will hear from fashion designer Oswald Boateng and others on the impact of leaving the EU on the creative industries.
Jeremy Corbyn is on the local election campaign trail in Birmingham today where he will announce plans for a 17% increase in the Carer’s Allowance .
It is the latest in a series of eye-catching policy announcements from Labour.
Disappointingly for Labour the construction of a solid policy platform has yet to translate into a change of fortunes in the polls .
The party’s position remains dire, as do Mr Corbyn’s personal ratings.