Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to become a presenter for GB News, with the aim of bringing “unvarnished” views on global issues.
Mr. Johnson expressed his excitement about joining the channel in a video posted to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I am shortly going to be joining you on GB News, giving this remarkable new TV channel my unvarnished views on everything from Russia, China, the war in Ukraine, to the huge opportunities that lie ahead for us,” he stated.
Mr. Johnson emphasised the importance of navigating these complex issues and exploring the vast potential that the future holds for the UK.
“I believe our best days are yet to come,” he remarked, exuding optimism about the nation’s future.
Mr. Johnson stressed the global appetite for a more influential Britain.
“The people of the world want to see more global Britain, not less,” he said, underlining a commitment to promoting a vision of the UK as an active player on the international stage.
‘A Very Shrewd Appointment’
According to polling expert Professor Matt Goodwin, GB News is poised for a boost in ratings.“There’s no doubt Boris Johnson’s recruitment to GB News is a very significant development,” Mr. Goodwin told The Epoch Times.
He added: “By now having both Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson in the roster, two leading campaigners for Brexit, representing two very different strands of British conservatism, my instinct is that the channel’s ratings will now only improve further, so I think it’s a very shrewd appointment.”
The channel has been plagued by a barrage of dismissals in recent months, with presenters Calvin Robinson and Laurence Fox being controversially axed, while another major name, Dan Wootton, is currently off-screen while under internal investigation.
Mr. Goodwin added that the move is “clearly designed to appeal to the Tories in the shires and Red Wall voters, and is in many ways the perfect response to the departure of Laurence Fox.”
‘A Natural Fit’
One of these figures, former major donor and close ally of Mr. Johnson, Lord Peter Cruddas, recently called on donors to cease funding the party altogether until greater power is given back to the membership.His group, the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO), aims to reform the constitution of the Conservative Party to give greater power back to members over the selection process of political candidates.
“I think Boris is a natural fit,” David Campbell Bannerman, chairman of the CDO, told The Epoch Times, adding that he thought Mr. Johnson “will add yet more boosterism to GB News.”
Reaction to the appointment has been mixed, with William Clouston, the leader of the Social Democrat Party (SDP) and a regular contributor on GB News, branding Mr. Johnson “an out and out liberal.”
Mr. Clouston told The Epoch Times: “I don’t think he has anything to contribute to the cause of conservatism.
‘Got Boris Done’
GB News Editorial Director Michael Booker said, “I’m delighted to say, GB News has got Boris ‘done’!”He added: “We are tremendously proud to have him join the GB News family, particularly as we head into a seismic year of politics both here and across the Atlantic.
“Boris has been the most influential prime minister of our generation, and his unique insight into domestic and world affairs will be a smash hit with our viewers and listeners.
“As well as his political skills, he’s an incredibly talented journalist and author, so we can’t wait to start working with him on what will be must-see TV.”
