Boris backed for US politicalrole by ex-Trump staffer
Boris Johnson: MPs vote in favour of Partygate report
Boris Johnson may choose to make a sensational transfer into US politics after Parliament’s ratification of the Partygate report, a Brexit-backing adviser to ex-US Presidents Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan has mentioned.
Peggy Grande acknowledged the difficulties the New York-born former Prime Minister would face ought to he determine to hunt elected workplace throughout the Atlantic.
However, she additionally prompt he is perhaps useful behind the scenes in a extra tactical or advisory function – stating that “anything can happen” the place the flamboyant 59-year-old is worried.
Mr Johnson has resigned his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat previous to the publication of a report by the Parliamentary Committee on Standards, which discovered he had repeatedly misled Parliament about his information of lockdown-breaching occasions through the pandemic.
The committee subsequently mentioned Mr Johnson would have been chargeable for three-month Parliamentary ban had he not stop as an MP.
READ MORE: House of Lords probe in wake of Boris Johnson peerages
Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, the previous US President and UK Prime Minister respectively (Image: GETTY)
He additionally launched a blistering assault on the committee, branding its findings “deranged”. The report was subsequently ratified by Parliament earlier this week.
Mr Johnson wasted little time, instantly taking a job as a columnist for the Daily Mail – however Ms Grande, who labored for Mr Reagan from 1989 to 1999, and for the Trump administration as a political appointee, mentioned he had choices within the US as nicely.
Despite being born within the Big Apple, Mr Johnson renounced his US citizenship in 2017, which Ms Grande mentioned would clearly current a major hurdle ought to he wish to enter the US political area.
Rules set out by the US House of Representatives – the decrease chamber of Congress – state that members should be at the least twenty-five years of age, a United States citizen for seven years, and an inhabitant of the state from which she or he is elected on the time of election.
Ms Grande mentioned: “I’m not sure if the seven-year citizenship count would start over if Boris Johnson reinstated his US citizenship, or if he would get credit for the seven-plus years he was previously a citizen, but likely this would wind up in court before he could ever declare candidacy for any elected office here in the US.
Boris Johnson and Donald Trump at NATO in Hertfordshire in 2019 (Image: Getty)
“He also would have to have residency here, so would have to move and be living here before running for office.”
Mrs Grande, the previous chair of World 4 Brexit, prompt it was nonetheless extra most likely that Mr Johnson would group up with former Brexit Party chief Nigel Farage some level “rather than spending years here in waiting, or amassing legal fees to ensure he could lawfully run at a future date in the US”.
However, she added: “But then again, this is politics, so anything could happen.
“And with Boris, the most surprising and unlikely course of action could always wind up being the most probable.”
Asked what type his future political participation may take, Ms Grande continued: “He certainly could jump into the political side here as a commentator anytime, but likely wants a more tactical role.
Nigel Farage has floated the idea of joining forces with Mr Johnson (Image: Getty)
“By tactical, I just meant I think he would want to still be personally involved in the political arena, not just talk about it – like working with Nigel to ensure Brexit is saved / fully implemented.
“I can see him going more that route than on the sidelines commentating. He seems wired to enjoy a fight and doesn’t mind the headwinds of opposition – they appear to motivate and embolden him rather than discouraging him.”
With respect to billionaire Mr Trump, who has already confirmed his intention to run for President subsequent 12 months, she mentioned: “I’m not sure he could be helpful to Trump.
“Trump’s greatest needs here are to try to keep support from nervous Republicans who are tired of the constant legal fights, he needs to carve off some of the minority vote from the Democratic Party, and keep many of the white, educated, suburban mother vote he lost in 2020 but who returned a bit to the right in 2022.
“I don’t think Boris would be particularly helpful to him at this point with any of those demographics.
Peggy Grande pictured with former US President Ronald Reagan (Image: Peggy Grande)
“That being said, a strong UK partner is always an asset to the US, and Trump or the Republican candidate will certainly represent a closer relationship between our two countries than would Joe Biden, who has proven to be fairly uninterested in the Special Relationship.”
She concluded: “Boris could definitely have a role here in the media and I’m sure would be a welcome guest on air here anytime.
“I think his credibility and the value of his input or commentary would be more significant though if he is actively involved in a political role there still, not just a former PM or MP.”
Boris Johnson was seen on the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on Wednesday.
The former Prime Minister is a vocal supporter of Kyiv’s battle towards the Russian invasion and repeated his name earlier for the West to give attention to “ensuring a Ukrainian victory” and equip Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets.