Transport Secretary Grant Shaps said “politicians don’t expect to be popular all the time” and people “over-interpret” the booing to Boris Johnson when he attended the Queen’s platinum anniversary service.
Shaps, one of the prime minister’s closest allies in the cabinet, also said the government should focus on running the country, not be distracted by short clips.
“There were also people who applauded and you don’t ask me why they did it,” he told BBC Sunday Morning.
“Politicians do not expect to be popular all the time. Continuing to run the country is a job where you have to make difficult decisions most of the time. I wasn’t there, but I heard people whistling, I heard people applauding.
“I think it’s best to continue with the current work – to run the country – instead of being distracted too much by the videos you’ve just released.”
Shaps cites booing at former Chancellor George Osborne at the 2012 London Paralympics before the Conservatives won the next general election. “That didn’t mean the election didn’t win in 2015. I think you’re overdoing the interpretation if you don’t mind.”
Asked by presenter Sophie Raworth why people are whistling, he said: “Politicians by their very nature … of course, will share opinions. That’s what politicians do. That’s because we’re arguing about different sides of the issue. “
“Having a monarch,” he added, “means everyone can unite and support the queen, regardless of their policies.” Honestly, I think it demonstrates one of the beauties of our system.
Boris Johnson was whistling when he arrived at Queen’s anniversary service – video
Johnson and his wife, Carrie, were greeted with a chorus of whistles and whistles as they got out of their car as she stopped at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on Friday for the Jubilee Thanksgiving service.
During the awkward 15-second walk up the stairs, as dignitaries, dignitaries and politicians celebrated the second day of celebrations in the Queen’s 70-year reign, Johnson seemed indifferent, smiling and nodding.
Overwhelmed by the fact that other politicians were not booed, Shaps said: “Well, he is a prime minister, quite different from a former prime minister or a minor politician.”
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Shaps said he did not believe Johnson would receive a vote of confidence this week, but believed the prime minister would win one if that happened. Although polls suggest Labor is leading the Conservatives ahead of this month’s by-elections – with one poll giving Labor a 20-point lead – he said it was best to allow the process to “play out”.
“I think, in fact, the best thing that can be done with all elections is to allow people to talk and do it in front of the ballot box. “You often get surveys that show different situations,” he said.
Schaps outlined government policies and actions, including his response to the pandemic, plans to tackle welfare and tackle the cost of living, as examples of how he has “done good” for the country as a whole.
“I am absolutely sure that with some of these huge decisions, sorting out Brexit, going through the coronavirus, seeing the biggest growing economy last year, these are decisions and actions that will ultimately make a difference to the people,” he said. he.
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