The many similarities between Donald Trump and Boris Johnson go beyond their esoteric ‘Barnet’s, and both being born in New York, more on similarities later.
First, it now seems likely that Boris Johnson will become the next leader of the Conservative Party and de facto the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. If he does how could that impact the hospitality industry?
Boris Johnson wouldn’t be the first Tory Party favourite to fall at the last hurdle, just ask David Davis what happened in 2005. Also, if one thing could stop Johnson (we are intentionally referring to him by surname rather than adopting the ‘matey’ Christian name most do) it would be his own misplaced arrogance, we’ll see.
PAUSE: You just couldn’t make it up – Breaking News – As we write it is being widely reported that police were called to Johnson’s home in the early hours of yesterday morning to investigate screaming and shouting. At the home he shares with current girlfriend Carrie Symonds in South London, neighbours reported Carrie Symonds screaming ‘get off me, get out’ at Johnson.
The Metropolitan Police said they responded to a call from a concerned local resident at 12.24 am but after officers attended it was deemed ‘there were no offences or concerns’ and no need for police action.
Mr Johnson’s team said ‘no comment’ when questioned about the incident. He appeared not to have told his campaign team about the visit from the London constabulary until news of it broke on Friday night, Johnson knows best.
It is also being reported that a recording of the incident was made, and Johnson is already considering seeking an injunction to stop the recording becoming public.
If we get further information as we write we will update, but for now back to the potential of a Prime Minister Johnson.
For the purpose of our reflection, on how the character traits of the favourite ending up residing in 10 Downing Street may impact the hospitality industry, we will assume he will. Our comparisons of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump focus on both as disruptors, and dangerous ones.
Donald Trump has brought a new strain of politics to America. Many criticise it, most are unsure how he has ‘got away’ with it, but few could argue that his Machiavellian tactics so far, aren’t effective and, in all likelihood, will help see him gain a second term in the Oval Office.
Donald Trump is a risk taker who has consistently rolled the dice and won, so far.
Boris Johnson is also a risk taker, who seems to act on instinct rather than thought, this impulsive trait has almost delivered him to number 10, so it could be argued as similarly effective. But would he be as consistent as Mr Trump on roll 10, 11, 12?
Donald Trump has through his ‘America-first policy’ hurt the US hospitality industry. Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson speaking last month at the 41st annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference in New York, said:
“President Trump is clearly calculated in his interests to be anti-immigration and in effect anti-foreign, and you end up with a voice heard around the world as, it’s harder to get into the US.”
Throughout the conference many other US hospitality leaders voiced similar concerns about Donald Trump’s America-first policy, as well as his anti-immigration rhetoric. The impact of the policy sees the US hospitality industry facing worsening skills and people shortages.
The UK hospitality industry already suffers from acute people and skills shortages made worse over the past three years through pre-Brexit legislation changes, and the wider anti-immigration message the UK government has and is giving to the world.
Boris Johnson in his early journalistic career based in Brussels wrote countless scathing articles assaulting the EU and everything it stood for, making him an immediate darling of the Conservative Party’s Eurosceptic right.
Johnson has stayed firmly on the right of the Conservative Party ever since and despite apparently ‘toying’ with leave and remain, was in the driving seat of the leave campaign bus waving asparagus as it merrily toured the UK. The leave bus tour’s key message via Johnson was to return three hundred and fifty million pounds a week to the National Health Service, hmmm.
Johnson has on many occasions adopted a convincing impression of Bertie Wooster, a likeable buffoon. He blusters and spouts seemingly spontaneous remarks to gain attention, that on examination seem at least somewhat considered and rehearsed, but is still prone to puff. Above all else Johnson is a career politician with a Machiavellian approach to getting things done, his way, much like Donald Trump. Both men personify narcissism.
Dorian Gray reflecting on selling his soul
Johnson if elected to lead the Conservative Party and crowned Prime Minister will be doing business with Donald Trump. A rushed WTO Deal would seem all too tempting to them both to pass on as an opportunity to promote themselves.
Any such deal to be agreed in the short term would necessitate a No Deal Brexit. This would of course make Johnson very popular with his conservative ERG colleagues, the extreme right of the party. One concession to be potentially granted to the ERG would be to tighten immigration legislation.
Current immigration policy is already disastrous for the hospitality industry as many businesses across the UK have reported, making things worse would see businesses contract and businesses close.
Many other industry sectors and institutions like the NHS would also suffer from a tightening of immigration policy. The question on whether led by Johnson a Conservative Government would implement tighter immigration policies, has to be yes.
Johnson has one thing on his mind, the job of Prime Minister. Many of his colleagues, and peers on the other side of the political landscape, have a similar focus, voting motivated to keep their jobs with little sight of any moral compass.
If any readers think we are being cynical or not giving Johnson any credit they may want to watch and listen to his recent interview on LBC Radio where he shared his views on funding the police to investigate historical child sex abuse – Boris Johnson has said that spending police budgets on historical child abuse is “spaffing money up the wall”. Anyone unfamiliar with the term spaff or spaffing please look it up as we prefer not to publish.
The UK political landscape in recent years has not been pretty and has impacted hospitality negatively. We do not have a crystal ball and cannot predict what the next few weeks will present, we can only hope it will not be Prime Minister Johnson.