One of the most chilling regimes of modern times is that of the Khmer Rouge – the hard line communist faction who ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1979, during which time it has been estimated that anything up to 30% of the country’s population, and certainly more than 155 died.  What makes their record even more chilling – if that is possible – than the bare facts, is that it was never intended to result in mass genocide.

When the Khmer Rouge cadres marched into Phnom Penh, they were welcomed by cheering crowds.  Almost immediately people were ordered, on pain of death, to return to their ancestral villages: the idea being to return them to the simplicity of rural life, a life of equality at one with nature.  Those who rebelled, or whose behaviour indicate that they were not enthusiasts (“crimes” included the ability to speak a foreign language, or even wearing spectacles) were exterminated: the regime could not and would not tolerate anybody who was not a believer.  The leader of the regime, Brother Number One, Saloth Sar, whose nom de guerre was Pol Pot, was a recluse – barely seen in public, invisible and unaccountable.

Boris Johnson is not Pol Pot, but there are points of similarity, and they are unnerving: like Pol Pot, he picked up his “ideas,” such as they are, while living overseas;  he, too, hides from the cameras (notably in a fridge); he, too, demands loyalty and “belief” – competence is not a requirement; he, too, – let me give him the benefit of the doubt – is ruthless in imposing his aspirations; and h,e too,  has unleashed demotic unelected, unaccountable officials, one in particular,  to run amok.

It has taken Cambodia more than 40 years, to being to recover from the the Khmer Rouge years (of which there were 5). Johnson has been in charge for just one, but already the damage he has done to economy, education, health, hopes… is incalculable.

The French name for Cambodia is Cambodge – let us hope and pray that the UK, or what is left of it when Johnson finally departs,  is not reduced to La Grand Bodge.