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I have been implacably hostile to Boris Johnson for a decade. Entertaining and hugely clever chap he is indeed, wonderful way with words, but for me he is a laughing cavalier whose privileged life is an affront. Some questionable remarks about black people confirmed to anti-racists that he was never going to be for us. When he was elected Mayor I wept and cursed. Yet today I find my resistance to the Mayor is melting, and fast. I can hardly believe it myself.
I still believe it was important to question his racial attitudes. But people change. He has, or so it seems. So I must too.
Four times recently I have cheered loudly as Boris unveiled big ideas and policies. He is still rubbish when questioned on detail, not his forte. But the proposals are innovative and stirring.
Guaranteeing a minimum wage for City Hall staff was just and counter-intuitive. Next, his call for an amnesty for working illegal migrants is a brave move, immensely risky for a man of his ambitions. Much of the country is seethingly anti-immigration and the Tory leadership is furious with him. But the Mayor's reasons make sense. We are losing tax because so many migrants are in the black economy, and it is absurd to think that 400,000 people can be deported forthwith.
Welcome, too, were Boris's ambitions for affordable housing, both to rent and buy. Kate Davies, CEO of Notting Hill Housing Association, rightly describes the plan as "a myth-busting milestone". The Mayor's flexible package responds to our craving for property ownership. The Left, my side, has never understood this desire.
The arts programme he announced this week is aspirational and democratic, designed to break the divide between high and low art for both artists and consumers. He plans a festival to tell the eclectic story of this capital made and re-made by incomers, from the Roman times. I tire of cultural separation and conventional ethnic celebrations. This dynamic idea will bring us together.
Finally, the man who once described green campaigns as "mumbo jumbo" yesterday announced a programme to green the capital.
No doubt the Mayor will raise my hackles again. But for now, he deserves and gets my warm support. Te saluto!
Reader views (18)
Boris is a breath of fresh air in this Labour mood of reverse snobbery. Sooner Boris than "I do not know what I am doing" Hopeless Jacqi Smith.
- Albert Hall, hove england, 27/11/2008 18:25
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I am sure Jasmin speaks for many on the left when she admits she affronted by Boris's "privileged life". What aspect of the privileged life does she find so difficult, I wonder?
It cant be his public school and Oxbridge education because if it were she would surely be equally affronted by Tony Blair (Fettes & Oxford) and Tony Benn (Westminster, and the son of a Viscount to boot). Boris's Islington lifestyle is indistinguishable from that of his well-heeled Guardian journalist neighbours, so it cant be that either.
I think the truth is they cannot bear the fact the Boris, unlike Tony, does not seek to drop his vowels and pretend to be less privileged than he really is. The Tony Blairs and Anthony Wedgewood-Benns of this world are the ones, like Hyacinth Bouquet, who most deserve ridicule for pretending to be something they not. Boris is being true to himself - a much more admirable characteristic.
- James, London, 27/11/2008 16:48
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Yasmin, lets hope you don't live in west london,if so your beloved Boris is about to have you suffocated.
- James Hennessy, london england, 27/11/2008 16:34
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Alex Balfour, Hong Kong
When I saw Boris on "Who do you think you are"....he kept saying, "I hope I have some british blood in me, but I don't think I have!" It turned out he was descended from George the first of england. So you are completely wrong in your conclusion that he is insecure about his roots....infact, he is clearly the opposite! He was proud of his french, turkish, german ancestors and was highly amused when he discovered his royal ancestory.
- David H, London, 27/11/2008 14:55
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I agree, Boris has got it spot on with his culture policy. It's a real move in the right direction to celebrate our identities as Londoners rather than our diversity (or differences) at these individual hived events - good that they are.
Another issue I would like to see action on with regard to integration is the translation of London local gov't docs into a variety of languages...
- Peter, London, 27/11/2008 14:17
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I had been a supporter of Boris, but if Yasmin Alibhai-Brown supports him I must have been wrong. The immigration amnesty is a ridculous and damaging idea, stick to the common sense stuff Boris!
- Mark, lONDON, 27/11/2008 10:43
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BORIS Johnson's attempts to cast himself as a "green" mayor hit a stumbling block today after it emerged he had cut almost £500,000 from the environment budget...Evening Standard 27th November 2008. Any comments Ms.Yasmin Alibhai ?
- Paul, London, 27/11/2008 10:08
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...and by the way, he is quarter Turkish. Why do you think he keeps on going on about what a toff he is - not particularly secure himself methinks. He is, however, a likeable fellow and refereshingly honest.
- Alex Balfour, Hong Kong, 27/11/2008 04:18
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Ms Brown: do provide details of the salary you are paid. The same are conspicuous by their absence. Bet you are too embarrassed to do so.
- Annabelle, london, 26/11/2008 22:31
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Is Boris really green? Regional aviation statement ignores environment! says RSPB The joint statement issued 21/11/08 by the Mayor of London, SEEDA and EEDA on the future of aviation has been immediately criticised by the RSPB for failing to acknowledge the massive threat that increased air travel poses to the environment.The RSPB believes the Advisory Forum for Regional Planning has missed a significant opportunity for a fundamental review of the need to expand aviation provision in the region.Additionally, by refusing to rule out the idea of an airport in the Thames Estuary the RSPB insists the statement reveals an almost total lack of concern for the natural environment. The idea of an airport in the Thames Estuary has been proposed several times in the past, most recently as part of the Government review of airport capacity that concluded in 2004, and every time it has been thrown out as being unacceptably damaging, too expensive and unnecessary.The RSPB believes that to seriously address the impacts of climate change, Government at every level should be looking for ways to reduce the demand for air travel rather than simply accepting that supply must meet demand.Dr Mark Avery said'We agree with the Forum that expansion at Heathrow is not the way forward.They cite environmental grounds for their decision.The RSPB argues that any increase in aviation or airport capacity would be environmentally damaging,adding fuel to climate change which threatens to spread uncontrollably
- Gill Moore, Cliffe Kent, 26/11/2008 22:12
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It's not that Boris has changed; the problem is left wingers and their sweeping prejudices against supposedly 'privileged' people. Your prejudices are clearly falling away Yasmin and you are learning to accept people for who they are, not judging them because they went to Eton or speak correct english. And I suppose you're not 'privileged'? I would say that being one of the more well known London journalists who appears on TV etc., you are quite definitely privileged!
- David H, London, 26/11/2008 19:31
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I have been implacably hostile to Yasmin Alibhai Brown for a decade. Entertaining and hugely clever chapette she is indeed, wonderful way with words, but for me she is a laughing cavalier whose privileged life is an affront. Some questionable remarks about white people confirmed to anti-racists that she was never going to be for us. When she became a reporter on this paper I wept and cursed. Yet today I find my resistance to her is melting, and fast. I can hardly believe it myself.
- Stevew, WMids, 26/11/2008 13:43
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I have a lot of respect for Yasmin for acknowledging that Boris has not turned out to be the colonialist racist that some left wingers predicted he would be. And is his change on green policies is welcome.
It is far better for the quality of debate for article like this to be written.
- Danny, London, 26/11/2008 13:16
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"whose privileged life is an affront"
An affront to what? How much do you live on?
And can I remind you that he was on a scholarship at Eton? Which he won on his own merits.
- Sallyr, London, UK, 26/11/2008 12:36
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P I Staker
Er, who do you think does the cleaning, fills the coffee mugs etc. in Islington, Chelsea Kensington and Chiswick? People on those incomes will be looking for cheaper places to live - but increasing supply should be our priority.
- W R Stevenson, London SE26, 26/11/2008 12:01
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Who is this Yasmin woman to tell Boris what to do?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 26/11/2008 11:53
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Poor old Boris is going to look like a chameleon soon. A new colour every day to get the headlines. Soon he will morph into Ken Livingstone.
- Paul, London UK, 26/11/2008 11:16
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Yasmin would you be happy for the 400,000 illegals to move into areas like Islington, Chelsea, Kensington, Chiswick, in fact all the nice areas where journalists live?
Most probably not, so don't xpect the rest of us to have them swamp our overcroded area's either.
And no it's not rascist to think this way, it's called common sense.
- P I Staker, London, 26/11/2008 10:41
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