Southport journalist Martin Hovden writes,Enjoy the adoration, Boris - it won’t last

Southport journalist Martin Hovden writes: Boris Johnson received a Trump-like reception today as he closed the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.

His loyal supporters had started queuing at 5.30am to see his 45-minute speech, all keen to be inspired, uplifted and entertained by their leader.

And he delivered.

The Prime Minister is a natural and witty orator, he connects with his supporters and the public, even when he makes a policy-light speech.

Delegates cheered and laughed throughout, thrilled by his tub-thumping positive vision of the UK...and delighted by his description of disco-going Michael Gove as “Bon Jon Govey”.

And once again he labelled the Labour leader as “Captain Hindsight” - adding “if Columbus had listened to Keir Starmer, he would be famous for discovering Tenerife....” At one stage, I was going to ring the organisers of this week’s Southport Comedy Festival and suggest a late booking.

But then it hit me. No mention by Boris of petrol shortages or the dangerous lack of HGV drivers or the empty shelves in our supermarkets. Or the huge increase in energy costs. Or the horrendous winter many say we are hurtling towards.

And absolutely no reference to today’s cruel and wicked cut to the Universal Credit £20 a week Covid uplift for those in need, of which 40% are in low-paying jobs.

As far as the Tory delegates are concerned, he was speaking to the converted. As for the non-political public, they will likely react by saying “that’s Boris for you..”

But beware the Ides of Manchester, Boris.

Think back to the huge popularity at one stage of Margaret Thatcher or Tony Blair. Or Boris’s hero Winston Churchill. It took time, but eventually adoration was replaced by contempt. And then they were out.

My prediction: Boris will win the next general election. After that he will have Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss snapping at his heels. Whether he achieves his hoped for 10-year term in office is up to you.