The people of London voted for the "wrong" man and therefore he will be victimised until the people of London come to their senses and vote for the "right" man. Do we really have to wait two years to rid ourselves of the scourge of nulab?

Tom Mein, Chorafakia, Crete

Outside the navel-gazing worlds of politics and the media, the word 'homophobia' means little or nothing to most straight people, who make up most of the population. Therefore, I don't see why this matter should concern Boris Johnson or any other politician with a mind of their own.

John, London,

Sorry to use this space but I cannot find an email address for your Royal Court Correspondent. Jenny Bond would be an excellent alternative.

Can you please help ?

Victor Elliott, Malvern, UK

You equate 'borisophobia' with racism and homophobia. Do you not recognize the murder, assault and institutional discrimination that have so deleteriously affected black and gay men and women (among others)? Gay bashers assaulted, murdered, gays - there is no equivalence.

Mark, Bristol, England

Our new mayor may not be a homophobe (I do not know him well enough to say), but he doesn't care enough to watch what he says.

It's London Pride, it's about more than just asking to be tolerated. It would be better to have a mayor who really cared, but it would be worse if he didn't come.

Hugh, London,

Libby Purves thank you.

Andy, London,

Boris Johnson is what London has been waiting for a no nonesence eccentric who I believe will serve Londoners well!
Old school Ken represents for me all that is old and worn out, even in 'New' old Labour!

Dave Farmer, Broxbourne, England

As I keep saying, the electorate gets the government it deserves. I think the electorate of London has made a good choice at last and deserve a break. Boris is that break.

Rokola, Chiang Mai, Thailand

I would rather a representative of mine withheld judgement until in full possession and understanding of the facts before pronouncing an opinion; not someone open to jibes of idiocy and buffoonery by prophesying about various issues before having to retract, clarify or apologise for such comments.

Neil, London,

What the left hate is the fact that Boris confuses the traditional left/right divide with his libertarian views. This is extremely dangerous, because it deprives them of a monopoly on liberal ideas. People really hate losing a monopoly on anything, just look at doctors.

David Pritchard, Madrid, Spain

boris is great. no doubt about it.

Ken, Hong Kong,

Socialism is founded on hatred and envy. The mantra is "I want what you've got (as a right rather than earning it) so give it to me or else and if I don't like what you do I'll stop you doing it." Sound familiar over the last decade?

Marcher baron, Welsh Marches,

Too true! Discrimination of any kind is still discrimination!Any normal human being does things they regret.But they have do not have to be scrutinised by the publc or the media.That said Boris has his head held high because he knows Londoners relate to his imperfection but inspired by his direction

Sion Charlesworth-Jones, Oxford, UK

I can't stand the term "PC". It belittles every value that I have and makes them appear like a cynical ploy created by politicians. I believe in standard human decency and the right of every person to do as they please, so long as it causes no harm to others. This is why I'll be marching on Saturday

David, London,

The Boris quoted in the last paragraph would be a joy to have as a civic leader.
But his curious 'alcohol on the Tube' ban without significant evidence suggests that he has started his term in office by kowtowing to the Wet Lettuce Tendency, so we may see more of a Doris than a Boris in future.

Stuart Hartill, Ramsey, Isle of Man,

Kev - his comments were exactly about playing the colonial master which is what Blair was doing, jetting off to Africa to look good with the 'natives'. It was Blair who played the race card and Boris Johnson who was exposing Blair's mindset.

Gareth Jones, Cardiff, Wales

I really enjoyed this. Grown up politics for people with considered opinions, and prepared to change their minds.

Let's appreciate substance over sound bites, and hold our leaders accountable for what they do more than what they say.

George, London,

Kev old chap, do get over yourself. You and the rest of the PC brigade are so last century. Commonsense, hard work and intelligence are what matter now. The demise of NU LABOUR and it's PC myrmidons is a joy to behold, Anti-semetic Ken's PC gravy train is derailed. - no more equality officers alas?

Mike Hunter, Sydney, Australia

I think Boris is brilliant and a breath of fresh air when compared to other politicans. He speaks his mind rather than hide behind spin...Sure he may get in trouble for some of his comments ie his comments on liverpool, but who cares hes human just like the rest of us and we have all done the same

rich, Edinburgh, UK

Why was section 28 a problem: it merely told 'educators' not to promote homosexuality to children.
Ms Purves shows her own bigotry in accepting opposition to this common sense measure a kind of litmus test of sanity and moral rectitude.

Tom, Witney, UK

A bit slow on the uptake, you lot, aren't you?

It was precisely that bitter, unreasoning hatred of others and their views that drove me out of Britain eight years ago.

Reasoned, rational discussion on any subject in the UK is impossible.
"I don't like what you say, so shut your mouth!"

ariel, Periana, Spain

i don't have a problem with gay pride marches but I do have a problem with them being funded by ratepayers money. If the people who organise them and attend them want them that much, they'll self-fund them or obtain private funding. Ratepayers money should be spent on basic services only.

Paul Buddery, Mackay, Australia

"The horrible thing about the Two Minutes Hate was not that one was obliged to act a part, but that it was impossible to avoid joining in. Within thirty seconds any pretense was always unnecessary. ..."

George Orwell, Airstrip One,

I'm sure there are three men and a dog somewhere in Britain who are grateful for Boris's inclusive remark, if only because no-one else has thought to mention them...

eric, paris,

Boris being in charge of London is a crying shame, his comments of the "piccanies and water melon smiles " hark back to when Master used to soil the whenches for his pleasure - and the water melon smiles were a frequent comment at the slave auction houses. We shall forgive but never forget!

Kev, London,

It's cool to be cruel, isn't it, Libby? Why is that? Why have we lost the ability to reason in measured civil tones? To disagree forcefully but politely? Why is swearing fashionable and no longer a disgrace?

'The sleep of reason begets monsters'.

devorgilla, Edinburgh,

Personally, I would prefer our leaders have a good education - and if this tends to mean private, well so be it.

Anna, Colchester, UK

"He will spend Saturday on a float to prove it, braving whatever they throw at him."

He will spend Saturday on a float for the attention it brings. Which is the only reason Boris does anything.

david, ely,

The PC Left should be very thankful that people like Boris aren't in the least like they claim them to be.

Michael Broers, Charlbury, UK

I really really want to know why going to Eton is considered a bad thing.

Edward, London,

The quote Ms Purves uses is from news website PinkNews.co.uk and not free news sheet Pink Paper. Tim in Kingston asks why we still need gay Pride events. He may want to look at this latest report from Stonewall: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/documents/homophobic_hate_crime__final_report.pdf

Kevin, London,

I feel sure that Boris is laughing all the way to a very long and successful tenure as London Mayor. The bigots who slander him simply prove he is the man for the job and will slowly unpick all the corruption of Kens years.

D Case, Newquay,

Boris has views on things which seem to reflect what most people think. And he expresses them amusingly. The trouble with the PC lot is that they have no sense of humour. Bet they nevere even laughed, when kids, at the 'Knock, knock' jokes.

john problem, winchester, uk

Boris is able to think and genuinely gives a damn about his fellow man. Unlike those who attack and wish to curb free thought and free speech. Politics should be about saying what you think and engaging in debate about what is best to do. If one puts ones foot in it apologize and move on.

Frank, Southend, UK

Erm - why do we need Gay Pride marches in this country in the 21st century? It really is time the "I'm just a victim" minorities grew up and started looking for real battles to fight - there are plenty out of them out there.

Tim, Kingston,

I''v gone right off Arabella Weir.

Jemima, Chelsea, UK

"ill-considered comments" (Darren P) sums up our contemporary obsession with 'saying the right thing' (ie PC) rather than what we really believe. I am gay but would never go to a gay pride march. I watch my gay friends' mouths drop open - "Traitor!" - whenever I explain my rationale.

David C, Brussels , Belgium

With a person like Boris, with a sense of humour AND an active sex life, it is impossible to win in a nation where sexual jealousy is almost endemic [vide Coronation Street].
Er..........that's it!
Ken.

ken wortelhock, auckland, new zealand

A political cringe

william shepherd, zoeterwoude , netherlands

CS Lewis described British society as it is now in 'Screwtape proposes a toast' - essential reading for those who wonder what's gone wrong with our society - the envy and mean-spiritedness displayed so often about people lke Boris.

S Peter, Ipswich, UK

Is it "lefties" that are the problem, or the multitudinous heads
of the "Victim" hydra that are to blame?

BJ's words are "double plus ungood" to a culture that takes offence at even imagined slights, and needs constant coddling and reassurance from all and sundry

Homer, London,

I've got a copy of Alan Clark's diaries in my loo.

I like the entries in which he dreams of a Britain ruled in perpetuity by Old Etonians. But he discounts this as impossible, even voicing surprise that an OE was selected for a 1988 Truro by-election.

I imagine he'd be rather pleased now.

James, London, UK

Thank goodness for truly honest appraisal, setting the record straight & in perspective. What Nasty Lefties, & others in public life, cannot stand that Boris has a superb sense of humour! He is very clever, he can write, he has accomplished what he set out to do, in several fields. Unforgiveable!

Anita Rieu-Sicart, Lorgues, France

Excellent article.

It's a shame that people condemn someone out of ignorance. Boris is a clever, witty and quick thinking, despite the bumbling charade. At least he brings character and charisma to the role.

And I think Loz, London rather misses the point. It's bad when taken out of context.

Ross Liversidge, Ripon, UK

The Left has always been afflicted by the politics of envy and hatred. They define their very existence by being "anti" everything, good, bad or indifferent.

But Boris Johnson attracts special media attention because he also suffers peer envy and hatred from less able journalists.

Lord Justin, London, UK

Eleven years of unbridled political power in this country has shown up every lie at the heart of socialism and the PC movement.

They now have nothing left but their unreasoning hatred and delusions - poor Boris who dared to tilt at their favourite dragon and slay it is, sadly, an obvious target.

edward green, upminster,

Good for Boris for attending the Gay Pride parade. Does anyone give a toss what Rickman, Westwood, Self, Okri, Mitchell or Webb & Weir think about anything? They are obviously spiteful lefty-luvvies & no more important than any other member of the electorate. I've never heard of the last four.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

Another way of looking at this is that Tories think they can go around smearing & abusing people (eg Tory/Evening Standard campaign against Ken) then squeal pathetically when anyone has a go at them...

Henry, London,

Lenin himself was the child of one of the wealthiest families of the Russian Empire, and it seems the fashion for his kind of self-loathing propaganda -now incarnated in PC- is strong as ever amongst the chattering classes. It's actually kind of sad: if only they had REAL a purpose in life...

Pietro B, SP, Italy

Funny thing is, there's quite a lot of spite, hate and bitterness in this article. My dislike of B Johnson is based upon one simple observation: in politics, you should fear the clever man who portrays himself as stupid far more than the stupid man who portrays himself as clever.

Chloe, London,

I've alway thought Will Self aptly named.

Simon Marshland, Bath, UK

Give the lefties too big a voice, and you get a Britain like we have today.

You were warned.

BP, Cambridge,

Toff bad, oik good. In a land where discrimination is seen as the solution to discrimination, the notion that it is best to be run from the bottom seems natural. By the way, the purpose of polemic is to make us think - it is not a police confession, yet.

David Masu, Zürich,

"...answers difficult questions from journalists with a nervous, hindered pause."
Perhaps he is actually thinking, rather than trotting out Party dogma.

Steve, Torrington,

"Rage is provoked entirely by the need to be enraged"

Hmm. I shall think about this for the rest of the day.

Anthony Price, Truro, Cornwall, UK

Hear hear!

Hate laws are a retrograde move, but anger ought to disqualify anyone from mainstream politics.

My impression is that supposedly caring groups in politics such as lefties and environmentalists are actually the most angry.

William, Brisol, UK

The leftists have always been spiteful and they have always freely engaged in the smear! Marxist/socialist dogma compels them to ignore democratic debate and engagement! The left truly are the 'nasty party' and now at last we are waking up to the fact?

Stephanie King, larnaca, Cyprus

How very unreasonable of people to make their opinions of Boris based on what he has said!

Loz Pycock, London, UK

Quite right. But I think his successful election proves that these pathetic jibes have lost their effectiveness, and people will vote for the best candidate even if (s)he is a non-PC

NBeale, London, England

"And ill-considered comments on race and sexuality don't help matters either.."

could it just be that he has his point of view and doesn't mind stating it; unlike every other politician these days who checks the polls to discover what his position is?

Phil Barnes, preston, england

What concerns me isn't BJ's toff lifestyle , but his lack of responsibility, lack of clarity, and the manner in which he answers difficult questions from journalists with a nervous, hindered pause.

And ill-considered comments on race and sexuality don't help matters either..

Darren P., Greenhithe, Kent,