To begin, a recap:

• Part 1: stand by for vanity projects, HS2 and more
• Part 2: shredding standards on environmental protection and workers rights
• Part 3: impending independence of constituent parts of the UK (Northern Ireland and Scotland)
• Part 4: barriers to trade, resulting in business “difficulties” and price rises

Part 5: Revenge

The Flatulent Leader considers himself a re-incarnation of Sir Winston (I think that’s enough to get generations of Churchills rolling in their graves).  He isn’t; far from it.  For one thing,  Winnie made it a point to be magnanimous in victory.  Not so the FL, he’s out for revenge.  First he banished those wiser and more experienced than he, including one who has indeed a claim to be a reincarnation of  Sir W, his grandson, Nicholas Soames, from the Tory party;  some never to return.

Then his wrath turned to the BBC.  The BBC is the most important, independent and reliable purveyor of news and current affairs we have.  It is respected and listened to around the world.  Government ministers are now banned from appearing on its prime new coverage programme, Today.  That may seem bad, but it is as nothing compared to what comes next: destruction of its funding model.   Never again, if Johnson gets his way, will the national broadcaster be able to provide free, independent coverage of current affairs; let alone to educate and entertain; the other two legs of the Reithian tripod “educate, entertain and inform.”

Next in line for  defenestration: the judges.  Their crime?  As did the BBC, they stood up to Johnson and took an independent view of his behaviour in proroguing parliament, which they judged illegal.

What next?