Although she was an early victim of what would become the most divisive political idea of ​​our time – Europe – it wasn’t the only thing that brought her down, not even the poll tax or any politics. What mattered was her occasional trancelike manner. She was so used to having to fight her own cabinet to get her ideas through that, even when she was in control, she would treat colleagues as adversaries until they finally got around to it. Boris is the opposite of Thatcher. A natural vote winner – who else is only known by their first name? – was elected Conservative mayor of a Labor London not once, but twice. After the European referendum left the government in disarray, he became prime minister, agreed a withdrawal deal within weeks, called an election and won the biggest majority since Thatcher. Within weeks of forming a new government, Covid struck, bringing the global economy to a standstill. Despite having Covid himself, the Johnson administration created a vaccine discovery and distribution program that was the envy of the world and played a decisive role when Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, ensuring that Europe and the US were united and that the NATO will expand. Yet after all that, which in cold blood would represent a very good start for any new government, I have never met a more visibly unpopular prime minister, mocked and abused on social media and now abandoned by his own cabinet and the junior minister. Mocked as a consummate liar, the truth is probably closer that he’s not a bit lazy and is capable of putting a good polish on almost anything. The problem for Boris is that it’s often hard to draw the line between one gloss and the other. Even if he stays for a few more days, when Boris lost the support of leading members of his cabinet, his days were numbered. He was indeed a rare political talent, one that appeals far more to the voter than to his colleagues, and even after all the turmoil of his last days, I wouldn’t be surprised if he still had a good following in the country. However, government is not about the individual, no matter how talented, but the partnership and Boris no longer has the support of enough members of his government. She has that in common with Thatcher, both were brought down by their style, their own way. Lord Young of Grafham was a cabinet minister under Margaret Thatcher