There is a theatrical roll of the eyes that is often displayed when the name Boris Johnson is mentioned, and on Wednesday, in his constituency of Uxbridge, west London, it was very evident – especially when residents were told that he had finally announced that he will retire.
“It’s about time! You can put that down as my quote,” a young woman shouted over her shoulder as she pushed her child’s stroller through the pedestrianized downtown. “Well, he definitely has charisma, but he didn’t convince me,” remarked an elderly woman, sitting on a bench with her husband as they ate sandwiches.
“I read today that it can take a few flushes before it finally goes away,” joked Lisa McKay, a social worker, “and that’s really what I think. There is so much arrogance – unbelievable, really, that he was still there.
It can sometimes be a challenge to convince shoppers and passers-by to share their opinions with journalists, especially when the questions are about politicians. Not Johnson, and not on the day his pyrotechnic premiership was confirmed to be over. As shoppers strolled in the bright afternoon sun on the streets around Uxbridge’s imposing art deco tube station, everyone had a view of the departing Prime Minister.
But while many acknowledged the farce of the last few days, a topic surprisingly few could discuss at length, opinion on Johnson’s fate was divided. Many rejoiced at his exit, but others resented that those around him made him a good prime minister.
“It’s a shame,” said Ian, a retired banker who, although he did not want to give his surname, was happy to share his thoughts at length about the cabinet’s treacherous treatment of the prime minister. “I think he’s had a rough ride and I think he’s been stabbed in the back.” The Pincher scandal, the latest debacle and the one that precipitated Johnson’s departure, “happened a while ago and it’s not a matter of resignation,” said Ian. “Why do they always pick on him?”
Caroline Tyrrell: ‘I thought he was new life for the Tories’ Picture: Linda Nylind/The Guardian
As Prime Minister, wasn’t Johnson ultimately responsible? “He can’t be responsible for everything. How many hours are there in a day?’
“Oh no!” gasped Sue Snell, a retired civil servant, when told of the resignation. It was the media’s fault that Johnson was misled, she said. Do you think the Prime Minister has done a good job? “Well, everyone has their faults. But at the end of the day, whoever they put in now, the circumstances of the country will not change, will they?”
For all the strong opinions on both sides – and Uxbridge is far from a safe seat for the Tories, with Johnson’s majority just 7,210 – perhaps the most commonly expressed view was the irritated acceptance that he must go now, even among those who had supported the prime minister and hoped that he would fulfill it.
“I voted for him, I’ll be honest,” said former florist Caroline Tyrrell. “I thought he was new life for the Tories. And I think he came into power at a really difficult time with Brexit and Covid and the economy. Everything has gone crazy.
“He’s a bit of a clumsy idiot though.”
Tyrell was one of many unsure of what would happen next and skeptical that whoever succeeded Johnson would be any better. But there was also an apparent lack of much enthusiasm for Labor as an alternative.
“I haven’t seen enough real evidence of leadership from the Labor Party to seriously consider it,” said Drew, who works in the film industry and describes himself as an “independent voter”. “But by the same token, I don’t see much of it from the Conservatives either.”
He and his friend Mike, drinking coffee at a sidewalk cafe, discussed the events in detail and knew exactly what they were thinking. “I think he’s done some good things for the country, but he’s made some very serious mistakes and he’s totally lost credibility,” Mike said. “In hindsight, it’s a shame, but it was always going to happen.” Should Johnson retire now instead of waiting until the fall? “It would be much better if you did.”
Michael Lee: “The word ‘clown’ always comes to mind.” Photo: Linda Nylind/The Guardian
Michael Lee, a computer engineer lunching with a friend in the sun, said it was “fantastic news” that Johnson had resigned. “The word ‘clown’ always comes to his mind, and I don’t think that’s the kind of person who should be running the country,” he said.
For some people, however, the joke is no longer funny. Meriem Bouzayene, a local primary school teacher, was pleased and relieved to see Johnson go, “but I’m not sure how it’s going to make a difference because the party is still the same.”
For her, the cost of living crisis was the overriding problem, whichever came next. “I see hungry children entering school [having had] no breakfast because mom and dad don’t have money at home for food. I’ve never seen this before. Child without shoes.
“So yeah, hopefully we’ll have a brighter future now.”
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