Commentary: Boris Johnson’s COVID-19 illness has made him more powerful

LONDON: A strange thing happened last week. An awful lot of British voters discovered they were much more attached to Boris Johnson than they realised.

But Johnson’s illness has augmented his authority. He may be recuperating for some time but no one now doubts where power resides.The UK death toll may end up as the highest in Europe and there are issues around the availability of protective clothing for health workers. His gift for communication and political ability had long put him closer to voters than opponents would wish to admit. The emotional film released soon after he left hospital was superbly pitched.Since the Brexit campaign, he has allied himself with the National Health Service. Now, with his heartfelt praise for the organisation which “saved my life”, a Tory leader has made himself high priest of the institution, described as the UK’s national religion.

This moment raises him to a higher pantheon of leaders; those who enjoy a direct rapport with the public and who seem to exist at one remove from their cabinet, presiding over ministers who do their bidding. The failures will all be theirs; the success his. No more of this “first among equals” nonsense.Johnson has worn many guises in his career.

He will champion British resilience in areas that have been shown to be crucial, notably pharmaceuticals, life sciences and medical supplies. But he will seek to harness the notion of national collective endeavour to ease the pain of the long economic recovery. If, as many in government expect, he needs to extend the Brexit transition, it will now be seen not as a recognition of reality but as an act of statesmanship.

Rose from the dead just after Easter?

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