Boris Johnson still to answer question of trust – The Yorkshire Post says

THIS has not been the year that Boris Johnson envisaged after he secured a commanding general election win on this day 12 months ago – his ambitions have been thwarted by a virus which few knew about, or comprehended, in December 2019.

Yet, while he deserves leniency over Covid’s consequences, and sympathy after he, too, was left fighting for his life during the first lockdown, the past year’s events have, alas, not been a triumph for politics or restoring trust.

The Yorkshire Post’s message on election day was a profound one after such a turbulent and toxic period in politics that began before the 2016 EU referendum and vote for Brexit – there needed to be an end to the lies, deception and fakery and a return to a more civilised and respectful politics that defined Britain in the post-war years.

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But the regret is that Mr Johnson chose not to become an unifying figure – either because it’s not in his character or because he found himself at the mercy of divisive advisors, like the now departed Dominic Cummings, who were not respectful of the office of Prime Minister and lacked the requisite skills to implement policy.

Boris Johnson during a visit to the 'red wall' seat of Blyth a year after securing a 80-seat majority in the general election.Boris Johnson during a visit to the 'red wall' seat of Blyth a year after securing a 80-seat majority in the general election.
Boris Johnson during a visit to the 'red wall' seat of Blyth a year after securing a 80-seat majority in the general election.

And the consequence is a lack of progress on the much-vaunted ‘oven-ready’ Brexit trade deal, social care reform and the levelling up agenda – three of many totemic promises – and which are fuelling mistrust.

In this regard, Mr Johnson can consider himself fortunate that Labour still had credibility tests of its own to pass under Sir Keir Starmer and that the public will reserve their judgement until next May’s local elections at the earliest when they will hope – and expect – the worst of Covid to have passed and most people in the process of being vaccinated.

If not, that defining issue of trust will haunt Mr Johnson unless he begins to under-promise and over-deliver – the precise opposite of his modus operandi to date.

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