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Cameron hits back at Boris

"We will see what happens the next time he comes around with the begging bowl," says No. 10.

By George Eaton Published 07 September 2012 10:03

David Cameron with Mayor of London Boris Johnson. Photograph: Getty Images.

Boris Johnson has angered Downing Street with his criticism of a third runway at Heathrow. Photograph: Getty Images.

Boris Johnson's intervention over this week's cabinet reshuffle was his most striking yet. Not only did he condemn David Cameron's decision to remove Justine Greening as Transport Secretary (an extraordinary show of dissent), he added that it would be "simply mad" to build a third runway at Heathrow and vowed to "fight this all the way", even refusing to rule out fighting a by-election on the issue.

The Prime Minister, to put it mildly, might have hoped for a more helpful contribution from the Mayor as he sought to refresh his government. But Boris, still basking in post-Olympic glory, was determined to seize an opportunity to burnish his credentials as an alternative Conservative leader and reach out to those Tories alienated by Cameron.

It is unsurprising, then, that the Prime Minister felt it necessary to retaliate. "We will see what happens the next time he comes around with the begging bowl," one Downing Street official told today's FT. "He might need us one day." Cameron is reportedly considering withholding government support for projects such as "Crossrail II" (a new rail line from Chelsea to Hackney) and and a tunnel under the Thames at Silvertown.

If Boris and Cameron's power struggle leads to a mutually destructive war then it is Labour that will be the likely winner.

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Tags: David Cameron Boris Johnson Conservatives

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15 comments

Mon, 2012-09-10 09:30 — Lucidus (not verified)

"Cameron is reportedly considering withholding government support for projects such as "Crossrail II" (a new rail line from Chelsea to Hackney) and and a tunnel under the Thames at Silvertown."

Sounds rather childish and petulant. If an infrastructure project is worthwhile, then it should be built, regardless of whoever the local politician is.

Sun, 2012-09-09 02:33 — Cameron's Eton Fag (not verified)

I remember Cameron telling people at the CONference in Manchester that it was shocking that people could buy a can of Stella for 50p, and that he wanted supermarkets to charge more to stop the drinkers - and raise more revenue.

I have never been able since it came to the UK to buy a can of the same for 50 pence.

A few days ago the former Welsh Secretary explained she was shocked to find out that when she got to his office, so he could replace her, was shocked to find he was p*ssed out of his head and had a bottle of stronger than Stella at hand.

It was on the Internet either the Sun or the Mirror, I do not read such papers, but maybe you can check out the story for yourself.

Sun, 2012-09-09 02:33 — Cameron's Eton Fag (not verified)

I have never been able since it came to the UK to buy a can of the same for 50 pence.

A hew days ago the former Welsh Secretary explained she was shocked to find out that when she got to his office, so he could replace her, was shocked to find he was p*ssed out of his head and had a bottle of stronger than Stella at hand.

It was on the Internet either the Sun or the Mirror, I do not read such papers, but maybe you can check out the story for yourself.

Fri, 2012-09-07 21:33 — Michael Dixon (not verified)

This is nothing like Tony and Gordon-read Steve Richard's book Whatever it Takes before coming out with those conclusions. A million miles away. That was a civil war, a nasty war the lead to mutiny and a coup.

Boris Johnson did overplay his hand on the day of the cabinet reshuffle and in doing so began the slow journey back to normal-pre-olympics. He got a bit ahead of himself.

Johnson has, in fact, managed to assist David Cameron by making a person's background irrelevant to popularity, thereby neutralising the feeble Labour mantra of Bullingdon boys, tuck shops and Eton.

It is a hard fact for those who play the class card, as above comments to comprehend and especially hypocritical as they cling onto a Party full of expenses fiddlers, some languishing in jail, working class lads who play the part like Prescott and Kinnock and yet call themselves Lords, Mandelson and his filthy rich friends etc. and Miliband D. raking it in with fees from all over the place.

Timpson at the Crewe by-election, Cameron and Johnson. If they are seen as suitable and talented, people will vote for them. As they did for the public schoolboy Tony Blair.

Cameron does not let Johnson eat away at him, as Brown did with Blair. He is a mcu more rounded person than Cowdenbeath's finest, so Labour will not be the winner on that relationship.

Tough. Instead you might have to ask leader Miliband to start leading. Some clue as to policies might help.

Sat, 2012-09-08 02:47 — postageincluded

It's so frustrating, isn't it. If only Miliband would go and sit on a glacier, or hug a hoodie or two he'd be so much easier to pin down.

Fri, 2012-09-07 18:55 — hugh markey (not verified)

Boris has chosen just the right time to fly off the handle. Have no doubt he enjoys watching his old Etonian schoolmate burn.
However, strongly suspect this confrontation is more farce than tragedy - unlike the Tony/Gordon conflict which was a much more grown-up affair in comparison.
This is like watching women fight - hugely embarrassing and far more frightening than a manly scrap.

Coat-holder

Fri, 2012-09-07 15:33 — SimonMW (not verified)

Cameron may also, at some stage, need to use the popularity of Boris, so should perhaps be a little more cautious considering Johnson can actually win elections and Cameron, so far, hasn't won any.

But the reality is, in a few years, both will be a memory. Miliband as PM and Johnson (Alan) as London Mayor!

Fri, 2012-09-07 14:09 — Indu Pendent

Could someone remind me of Labour's policy on the 3rd run way?

Does Labour have policies?

Sat, 2012-09-08 12:04 — matthew fox (not verified)

What is the Government trade policy? The trade deficit is at a 15 year high and the Vauxhall plants at Ellesmere port and Luton have closed production down for a week.

I thought the plan was an export led recovery Inastew?

Sat, 2012-09-08 04:46 — well well well (not verified)

The official Labour policy, is that when there are nurses due a visit by the stand-in Labour leader, he goes to a football stadium, as was too off-colour to support the nurses in pay and oncoming redundancies..
Seems he never had a doctors note either!

That is the day I stopped believing in Ed Miliband.

Fri, 2012-09-07 13:45 — J B (not verified)

Infantile was the first word that came to mind when I read this. But then this is Cameron's government so we couldn't expect much better.

Fri, 2012-09-07 12:00 — Barrie J (not verified)

My dad is bigger than your dad.
Oh no he isn't.
Oh yes he is.
Ever wonder why the UK is so far up effluent estuary and no sign of trees let alone wood for a paddle.
Heaven forfend that the economic good of the country should come between two Bullingdon Boys having a spat.