Politics

Boris Johnson is holding himself hostage

When launching his bid to take over as the UK's Prime Minister back in June, Boris Johnson said he wanted to do two things: get Brexit done and unite the country.
Despite this, his actions ever since appear to have had the sole aim of appealing to Brexiteers.
Johnson's language has hardened. He has gone from wanting to unite a bitterly divided nation, in which nearly half of voters didn't want to leave the EU at all, to saying that he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than delay Brexit, even if it means leaving without an agreed deal.
He attacks opposition lawmakers, accusing them of "surrendering" to Brussels, and dismisses fears that he is inspiring his supporters to send opponents abuse -- and even death threats -- as "humbug."
This rhetoric has had a major impact on some of the people whom Johnson will need the most if he is to win the now seemingly inevitable general election: the membership of his own Conservative party.
The effect Johnson has had on some of his supporters was on display this week at the Conservative's annual conference in Manchester, England.