This archive report was first published on 14 June 2020.
Boris Johnson's Colonialist Views Exposed ¶
Published on June 14, 2020, an article written by Boris Johnson while he was a Tory MP has exposed his colonialist views on Africa.
Johnson, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, argued in the 2002 piece that Africans would not have grown the right crops for export without British direction.
He wrote, 'The continent may be a blot, but it is not a blot upon our conscience. The problem is not that we were once in charge, but that we are not in charge any more.'
However, critics are urging Johnson to explain whether he still holds these views, given his recent comments on retaining controversial statues of slavers and British colonialists in UK cities.
Johnson's article reveals that he has an active admiration for Britain's colonial activities on the continent, citing Uganda as an example of the British record.
He wrote, 'Consider Uganda, pearl of Africa, as an example of the British record. Are we guilty of slavery? Pshaw. It was one of the first duties of Frederick Lugard, who colonised Buganda in the 1890s, to take on and defeat the Arab slavers.'
Johnson also suggested that one way to boost the economy of African countries would be for British tourists to holiday in them, writing, 'The best fate for Africa would be if the old colonial powers, or their citizens, scrambled once again in her direction; on the understanding that this time they will not be asked to feel guilty.'
Opposition MPs have urged Johnson to consider his comments and explain whether they still represent his views today.
