Readers reflect on why voters are prepared to overlook the shortcomings of the likes of Boris Johnson
Nesrine Malik is right (People voted for Boris Johnson knowing he was a liar. It’s too late to start shifting the blame, 19 June), the British have a peculiar penchant for an “aristocratic class” whose shortcomings we are prepared to overlook. In fact, the more elite their credentials, the better, just as long as it is stripped of its haughtiness and flatters us with what looks like its earnest attention.
This, in part, explains the love affair with Boris Johnson, the non-aristocrat always eager to flaunt the cultural capital that made him an eminent member of the club. His self-deprecating buffoonery was lapped up by many who might have been thought to resent everything he stands for. The more there was talk of his intellect, learning and charm, despite this being a smörgåsbord of superficiality, the more willingly some were duped by his ingratiating bonhomie and affectation of chumminess.
