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Boris Johnson attack on Ed Miliband is 'wrong and disgraceful'
28 Mar 2011Boris Johnson came under pressure today to retract his claim that Ed Miliband was "quietly satisfied" by the scenes of violence during the anti-cuts march.
The Mayor had criticised the Labour leader and his shadow chancellor Ed Balls for failing to set out the alternative in speeches at Hyde Park.
But senior Labour MP Harriet Harman accused Mr Johnson of being "thoughtless, shallow and plain wrong" for suggesting the pair were crying "crocodile tears" over cuts.
She added: "This is typical of Boris Johnson... He should withdraw this disgraceful allegation immediately. Instead of attacking the Labour leader, he should be listening to the hundreds of thousands of people who marched peacefully."
Mr Johnson had suggested Mr Miliband's only solution to the country's economic problems was to "get a load of aggressive crusties and Lefties" to cause "argy-bargy" in London. In his Telegraph column, he added: "The sad thing is that in spite of their crocodile tears, Balls and Miliband will feel quietly satisfied by the disorder - a token, they will tell themselves, of the public feeling that is out there to exploit."
Mr Johnson said 4,500 police officers had been "obliged to waste their time (and our money)" in controlling events as peacefully as they could.
He defended the difficult balance the police faced between protecting the rights of protesters and keeping the violence in check.
Later, Mr Johnson was quizzed over how he knew the Labour pair welcomed the violence but refused to answer.
He told LBC radio: "The point I was making there is that I do think it's a bit odd to have a march for the alternative when it's not entirely clear what the alternative is."
Reader views (38)
‎"We got drunk, trashed the Ritz & then went down Piccadilly to loot a few items from Fortnums" -
Boris Johnson Autobiography in reference to the Bullingdon Club 1986
Kettle calling pot....
Boris Lovers will be in denial .... same as his Party
Oh the shame of it...
- Cosmic Elms, London UK, 29/03/2011 12:15
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Dead right Boris - and you were extremely polite about it too.
- Anglo, The Heart of England, 29/03/2011 09:26
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Of course the two Eds were loving it, just as Labour loved the violence aimed at frustrating an elected Parliament during the poll tax riots. (National) Socialist policies rely on violent disorder to excuse an authoritarian state seizing control of everything. It's no coincidence that Hitler and Mussolini satarted their political careers as "Socialists" just like Marxian aristocrat Milliband.
- Marcus Aurelius, London, United kingdom, 29/03/2011 07:24
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l am a big Milliband supporter but what a mistake to be at a protest that was bound to be dominated by thuggery.He needs to be more careful not to allow the public to brand him with these criminals
- David, london, 28/03/2011 23:42
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Because the Tory know they are anti-people and realize how much they will loose the next election. Hence, they attribute any violence or public outcry to Labour Party- Olusegun Opanuga, Dulwich & West Norwood, 28/03/2011 19:47
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Unfortunately this is typical of most of Labour's avid core voters. They have no affinity or loyalty for this country and care not whether it goes down the tubes like the third world country it is rapidly becoming
- RichardG, Bolton, 28/03/2011 22:57
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Milliband was one of those who caused the problems.
Boris was too restrained. Milliband must have known there was violence just as Labour did during the miners strike.
He produced not one single idea for getting out of the mess he created.
- Michael Corby, London UK, 28/03/2011 21:30
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Ms Harman, what is disgraceful is that YOUR candidate for London Mayor Ken Livingstone was until recently working for Press TV - Iranian state media - the Ahmadinejad Broadcasting Company. Are you and Jack still in the I'm backing Ken Campaign'.
His employ at Press TV (until he was rumbled) was DISGRACEFUL !
Get your own house in order.
Ex Labour voter who will be voting Boris in 2012, not the so called 'new generation for change' Livingstone !!!!!
- Persian Cat, London, 28/03/2011 20:48
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Ah fresh - practicing in front of the mirror are we?
I commented before about, "If anyone cares to look at the actual quote..." as a heads up, but if you're not likely to have looked at the article, why would you have read the constructive comments. Ah well.
Another heads up - only the people who don't like the man (by no means 'everyone' as a blinkered 'only my side counts' perspective might have it) think he has contributed nothing to London. If he is having to battle with the power blocks that didn't want him in the first place, every step of the way to get anything done it can hardly be said that he is just coasting along doing nothing.
Lastly, because he hasn't done what this or that individual wants that doesn't mean that be has done nothing worth while. About 99% of the time it means that he doesn't have the same politics as the complainers who couldn't muster enough support for THEIR candidate when Boris was elected.
- Rogan, Irving, 28/03/2011 19:54
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Because the Tory know they are anti-people and realize how much they will loose the next election. Hence, they attribute any violence or public outcry to Labour Party.
- Olusegun Opanuga, Dulwich & West Norwood, 28/03/2011 19:47
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Isn't it time that this fool was sent packing?
This is the man who was taped trying to arrange a beating for someone, the man who was fired by the Leader of the Tory party for lying, the man who has a very dubious moral code when it comes to wives and family.
He does practically nothing, has initiated nothing of any long-term value for this city, and when he's not claiming credit for the work of others delights in making outrageous claims for the sake of effect.
Bozo- if you've nothing of any value to add- SHUT UP!
Will no-one rid us of this turbulent fool?
- fresh, london, 28/03/2011 19:32
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Well done Boris - The remnants of the NuLabour Party are épouvantable. Bring in the CRS from France for the next 'March', they will be a cheaper option ! After all we are part of the EU surely. David Smith, Cannes.
- David Smith, Cannes, France, 28/03/2011 19:17
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"You really have to question Miliband's judgement over this. It was plainly obvious that the event would end in violence - just look at the student fees protests".
Please do let's get this straight. This event DIDN't end in violence. A bunch of thugs used the cover of the march, and the fact that police numbers would be stretched, to indulge in their own activities, which included frightening shoppers and workers as well as breaking windows and destroying stock.
The march (which I took part in) was a joy to join in, and an example of excellent organisation and co-operation by police and TUC. I don't often agree with Boris' deputy mayors, but Kit Malthouse (police spokesperson) was spot on to refer to the trouble-making oiks as fascists.
- A pensioner, London, England, 28/03/2011 18:54
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Harman and her comments......dear god give us strength to overcome this pain. Milliband...well, back stabing, inefectual,very remininsant of that dear old luvvy michael foot, only younger. and as for chunky Balls, and no I am not trying to be rude, both trying to be associated with di wurkers yehhh. Can anybody honestly see that guy as a potential PM.......someone is having a laugh on us. Oh wait a minute its the good ole unions ... remember them ???
- jim donnelly, london, 28/03/2011 18:54
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If anyone cares to look at the actual quote he isn't saying that Balls and Miliband were pleased with the violence etc - he was saying that they would see the unrest of the protest as something that could be exploited politically, an entirely different matter. The former would mean they agreed with the violence, the latter that they could use the existence of that violence to put the government on the spot, according to their interpretations of cause and effect.
The lead comment of the article could eaily be misinterpreted as saying that Boris was accusing the Labour leaders of condoning the lunatic fringe actions that brought the trouble on the march, something that I, even as an opponent of the pair, don't see in his words at all.
- Rogan, Irving, 28/03/2011 18:53
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This is all a bit silly isn't it? There's no way that Ed can be blamed for or associated with the Black Bloc and their activities.
He is absolutely right in his role to have a presence at events like this and contribute his views. It is a shame that he doesn't seem to be offering a detailed alternative as yet and yes Labour are culpable for a significant amount of this mess (alongside a number of other people) but still...
Boris went too far and its a pretty transparent effort to divert attention from what is a growing opinion that maybe just maybe the way the cuts are being managed isn't quite right. Too deep, too soon and unfairly weighted towards the less well off.
We need cuts and we all need to take the pain - no debate there. We also need to have confidence that those that can absorb the pain are contributing, front-line services are protected where necessary, investment continues in education and health services and that checks and balances remain to halt a continuing swathe of unmandated policies being pushed through in the name of "austerity".
I for one hope Ed continues to attend these marches, learns form the (peaceful) protesters and begins to build a clear alternative. We need it.
We also need the idiots determined to cause trouble to back off. That may include Boris!
- David, Kingston, 28/03/2011 18:53
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Duchess of Malfi, you fail to consider the 20 years of experience that will have had an effect on his thinking. The behaviour you mention can be found in various guises throughout society, at all levels. Maturity affects EVERYone's thinking, so using the distant past as an absolute critique of today's actions suggests just a little of selective perspecvtive. You should be comparing like with like - not assuming his political perspective was all found at the bottom of a bottle of booze at a party.
In my sixties now, I still remember enjoying life as a young man, and as young men do. But that didn't stop me from having firm convictions based upon my then knowledge. With maturity and not a little experience, some of those opinions have completely changed. Others have simply solidified into certainty with the clarification of experience.
What he thought 20 years ago is not irrelevant, agreed - but that would have been a start to his journey, not its be all and end all.
- Rogan, Irving, 28/03/2011 18:26
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I think it was disgraceful to see an MP, let alone the socalled leader of the opposition, mixing with marchers with doubtful demands. This man sees himself as PM one day !! One a farce. Boris was right of course.
- Michael, London, UK, 28/03/2011 18:23
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Remember Boris cheering the lunatic fringe of the countryside alliance when they smashed their way into the house of commons. After all if its good enough for the bullingdon boys why not everyone else?
- Jimmy, Camden London, 28/03/2011 17:47
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Not worrying which party you vote for this gives a really good insight into how the political mind thinks and acts.
- Davey_Buoy, Chertsey, 28/03/2011 17:17
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To Duchess of Malfi, London, England, 28/03/2011
Please grow up and stop being so chippy. Is that why you call yourself the Duchess of Malfi? Delusions of grandeur perhaps, with a little envy mixed in.
What happened 20 years ago is quite irrelevant; what happens now is important.
- Margy, London, 28/03/2011 16:38
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Margy - (From a well-established professional woman of 63). My point is entirely valid. Let me explain: I'm suggesting a hint of what Freud might call projection in Boris' remarks.
- Duchess of Malfi, London, England, 28/03/2011 17:06
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Will someone please put a gigantic gobstopper in Harriet Harpersons mouth! A fine example of one politican who is as reliable as a liar telling the truth. Shut up you stupid woman
Miliband probably did this so he could get some smiles back from the bench after his awful performance criticising the budget. A 2 year old could have done a better job
Balls is Balls, he'd rather drive any successful person out of the country. It would be like living in South Africa if Balls was chancellor, 90% tax on anyone earning £50,000 or more!
Nice one Boris, keep up the fine work your doing so that some useless numpty doesn't come back and send london to the bottom of the pit!
- Steve, Labour Headquarters, 28/03/2011 16:58
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So that is what Boris was doing this morning when the tube failed yet again.
If it were up to Boris we would have concentration camps all around London for the poor. Conservative Clark said it all when he stated that peacefull demonstrations would not get the goverment to think again.
- dave, london, 28/03/2011 16:56
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To Duchess of Malfi, London, England, 28/03/2011
Please grow up and stop being so chippy. Is that why you call yourself the Duchess of Malfi? Delusions of grandeur perhaps, with a little envy mixed in.
What happened 20 years ago is quite irrelevant; what happens now is important.
- Margy, London, 28/03/2011 16:38
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You really have to question Miliband's judgement over this. It was plainly obvious that the event would end in violence - just look at the student fees protests.
What really is lost on the morons who caused the damage is the fact that it reportedly cost Westminster City Council £50,000. That's £50,000 which could have been spent on looking after vulnerable elderly people, children etc. The very groups whose interests they are supposedly looking to defend. So how can they justify what they did in that context - the damage they did has taken money from other areas of the front line.
- AJ,, London, 28/03/2011 16:38
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Labour are very good at giving it but absolute cowards and losers when it comes to taking it (criticism). They are constantly criticising tory MPs and love using derogatory terms such as 'toff'; but when one of their own is criticised, then they start squeeling like little pigs. Milband's judgement should be called to account as the comparisons he made in his speech on Saturday, were verging on madness.
This country is in a terrible state (both economically and socially) after 13 years of incompetent labour rule. Most of the demonstrators on Saturday were products of those labour years.
- Tom, London, 28/03/2011 16:34
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Labour must be rattled by this...
Perhaps instead of complaining all the time the Labour party will name and shame all these violent thugs!
- Jim, UK, 28/03/2011 15:55
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This is a bit pot-and-kettle, isn't it? Which of the two - Boris or Ed Milliband - was a member of the (drink-all-you-can-and-cause-mayhem-because-daddy-will-pay) Bullingdon Society whilst studying at Oxford?
- Duchess of Malfi, London, England, 28/03/2011 15:54
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Experience shows that large demonstrations tend to end in violence and any political leader associating himself (or herself) with, or encouraging, such events must accept their share of the fall out. Miliband may or may not be quietly content with the outcome, but what is certain is that he must have known the attendant risks in supporting such a massive event. As for Boris, I think he was articulating, perhaps clumsily, a genuine question as to how far Labour, under Miliband, is prepared to go to disrupt society for political purposes. Parliament is the debating chamber not the streets.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 28/03/2011 15:54
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Boris, you are an utter disgrace.
What is the alternative? How about taxing the banks? How about clamping down on tax exiles?
Everybody knows there are alternatives. Shame it's not in the interest of the millionaire Tories to explore them.
- Paul, London, 28/03/2011 15:54
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The man is an absolute disgrace. No political leader in their right mind condones violence of the sort seen on Saturday. The violence was committed by a lunatic fringe, who ave no connection with the Labour Party whatsoever and in fact are despised by the Labour Party. Johnson is simply echoing the words of Priti Patel who is also an utter disgrace.
- dhan raj, basildon, 28/03/2011 15:04
Isn't that a case of the pot calling the kettle black?
- Shelagh O'Hanoran, County Wicklow - Ireland, 28/03/2011 15:53
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I am surprised Miliband turned up at the event as his party caused the absolute huge mess the Conservatives have to sort out.
I met a few people at the march on Saturday and they had nothing good to say about Labour's week and leaderless leader.
On Saturday Ed Balls was interviewed by both BBC and Sky and he has a big fat smirk across his face.He enjoyed what was going on.
Miliband is a useless opportunist who attended the the really at an opportune moment.
Boris Johnson is absolutely correct in what he said. Some of the respondents here need a reality check if they think otherwise.
- Barry from Bermondsey, Bermondsey - Centre of London, 28/03/2011 15:51
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Dhan Raj
It was a disgrace what Brown ,Milliband and Balls did to nearly bankrupt this country.
- Tojo, Hythe Kent, 28/03/2011 15:43
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Boris is absolutely spot on.
- ST, London, 28/03/2011 15:39
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Boris,
What do you put in your Capucinno in the morning?
- Michaella, London U K, 28/03/2011 15:32
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Boris is absolute right... of course the Liebour party - who don't forget got us into this mess with their Scottish friends (HBOS and RBS) wants to align themselves with a bunch of potty loonies who don't know what they want.
The TUC rally was about 140,000 btw - although the BBC wont tell you this.
- A happy banker, Belgravia, UK, 28/03/2011 15:22
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"The point I was making there is that I do think it's a bit odd to have a march for the alternative when it's not entirely clear what the alternative is."
He could not be more right or have put it more succintly.
Cue Ed Miliband's speech: "But we know there is an alternative..." (long silence) "Martin Luther King..."
- Befuddled, E4, 28/03/2011 15:10
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Honestly, Boris!! Do us all a favour, stick to what you're paid to do as mayor, and get the tubes sorted out, will you, please?
- Pensioner, London, England, 28/03/2011 15:08
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The man is an absolute disgrace. No political leader in their right mind condones violence of the sort seen on Saturday. The violence was committed by a lunatic fringe, who ave no connection with the Labour Party whatsoever and in fact are despised by the Labour Party. Johnson is simply echoing the words of Priti Patel who is also an utter disgrace.
- dhan raj, basildon, 28/03/2011 15:04
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