Tom Richmond: It's not about you Boris Johnson. It's about Britain's future. On your bike

I had also thought that it would be the most important decision to face people of my generation in a lifetime, and that the electorate would be courted respectfully.

I was wrong.

The June 23 vote appears – already – to be more about the posturing of our peacock-like politicians rather than a great exercise in democratic renewal.

This was exemplified by the tawdry manner in which Boris Johnson kept the nation waiting about his own intentions, the worst-kept secret in politics, before plucking up the courage to announce, shambolically on a pavement, that he would be supporting the Brexiteers who want the UK to leave the EU.

News and sports programmes were interrupted for this breaking bombshell before a scruffy-looking Mr Johnson announced that he would not take part in public debates with colleagues – the Prime Minister, Chancellor, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary included – who have taken an opposing stance.

And this from a man whose only ambition in life is to be Prime Minister and who professes to be a great saviour of Parliamentary sovereignty when he has, in fact, spent his whole career flirting with the House of Commons to suit his own climb up the political greasy pole.

Of course the Mayor of London is not the only egomaniac – Ukip’s leader Nigel Farage said he would not debate the formidable SNP veteran Alex Salmond, but would be prepared to challenge Nicola Sturgeon because she is Scotland’s First Minister.

Grow up. If this is what voters will have to endure for another 122 days, then heaven help us. Already the main protagonists are talking at each other (and the Westminster village) rather than talking to the country.

Like many, I’m undecided. I’m conflicted between a desire to protect Britain’s business and national security interests with a desire for this country to exert more influence on those issues, like state aid rules crippling UK manufacturing, which matter most to voters. But I have now made up my mind on one point – Boris Johnson will never receive my vote, or blessing, if he attempts to become Prime Minister.

As every Cabinet member looked David Cameron in the eye over his EU reform package, Boris Johnson took the cowardly route. He chose, instead, to maintain the pretence that he was undecided, when the reality was that he needed to delay his announcement until his weekly Daily Telegraph column, for which he is handsomely paid, was written.

There were even cringe-worthy television exchanges when the Prime Minister pleaded with his great friend Boris to see sense – it made Mr Cameron look both desperate and undignified.

As politicians and commentators started talking about “Bojo” – Bozo more like – Mr Johnson’s endearingly naive sister Rachel toured the TV studios and claimed that it was “not about Boris” before the politician’s blunt father, Stanley, said that his son had erred and the decision had cost him a major job in Mr Cameron’s Cabinet. Talk about vanity.

The clown-like Mr Johnson Junior professes to be a senior politician. Like everyone else, he knew when the Brussels summit was being held. Like others, he has had since last May to determine his stance. And, let’s face it, he only came off the fence when a backlash started to grow. If this is how he comes to major decisions, God help us if he is ever PM. Imagine the diplomatic disaster that will follow: “Sorry, chaps and chapesses, I’ve got to write my newspaper column first.”

Of course the language would be more fruity and probably in Latin.

But my point is this. Having declared “I happen to think I am right” on the EU, his refusal to take part in serious debate threatens to make this campaign a pantomime with only one objective – the self-promotion of Boris Johnson.

After all, Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson was elected MP for Henley in 2001 and became bored on the backbenches. He couldn’t even hold down the shadow arts brief and resigned when the London Mayoralty was up for grabs in 2008. He only returned to the Commons last May because his Mayoralty was coming to an end.

Contrast this with the quiet dignity of Theresa May who is not a rent-a-quote.

Despite being an Eurosceptic, and having to grapple with the immigration crisis, she has concluded that Britain’s national security interests are best served by working with the EU.

I hope the Home Secretary’s voice is heard. It should be – she has held this most difficult of posts for nearly six years through thick and thin. But I fear it will be drowned out by the Boris bandwagon which has become a damaging distraction to the issue at stake – Britain’s security and liberty in Europe, and the wider world.

Sorry Mr Johnson, but you’re doing yourself, your party or your country no favours with your antics. On your bike. It’s not about you – or your family’s self-aggrandisement. It’s about Britain’s future.

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