Social media trolls BoJo after his ‘Ask to see my ID card & I'll eat it’ article returns to haunt him
Boris Johnson has received brutal backlash online following UK government proposals that would require people to show IDs before voting, despite the UK PM having previously stated that he would eat his ID if asked to produce it.
In the Queen’s speech on Monday the government announced plans, as part of its policy agenda, that would see UK citizens prevented from voting in elections unless they can provide photographic identification.
Also on rt.com BoJo accuses Labour of ‘Soviet-era’ expulsions, gets left red-faced by a former Tory colleague the PM himself had expelledIn a move that the Tory government has justified as necessary action to “tackle electoral fraud and protect our democracy,” those on social media have been quick to remind PM Johnson of his previous views on ID cards – and they’re not pretty.
Writer, Thomas Pride, tweeted quotes from an article Johnson wrote for the Telegraph in 2004. In the piece he voiced his disdain for plans – by the new Labour government – to introduce national identity cards.
If I am ever asked, on the streets of London, or in any other venue, public or private, to produce my ID card as evidence that I am who I say I am... I will take that card out of my wallet and physically eat [it].
How come no UK journalists have bothered to dig this out: @BorisJohnson saying previously he'd EAT his ID if he was ever asked to produce it.He's just announced in Queen's speech that ID will have to be shown to vote.Journalists! Do. Your. Frigging. Job.https://t.co/UdGHWhu6pFpic.twitter.com/ApY5vNCGyh
— Tom Pride (@ThomasPride) October 15, 2019
Many have accused Johnson of hypocrisy, claiming that whenever an opposition party advocates a policy such as the introduction of IDs “it’s wrong,” but whenever his government suggests it – “it’s fine and dandy.”
Some made fun of his apparent flip-flopping, with one person tweeting: “There are so many Boris lies & contradictions to choose from.” People also claimed it was “possible to find an opposite statement” to pretty much everything that is previously on record when it comes to Johnson.
Surely it is possible to find an opposite statement to every one that Johnson makes these days. If he says no to something today, guarantee that he said yes to it anything from yesterday to 20 years ago. He’s had a foot in every camp (and a foot in his mouth) during his life.
— James Morrow (@jamorro) October 15, 2019
Critics of the plans have accused the Tories of trying to “rig the next election” with Darren Hughes from the Electoral Reform Society (ERS), alleging that “these plans will leave tens of thousands of legitimate voters voiceless.”
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
Subscribe to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media won’t tell you.