Take The Shot Boris

                                             Let's hope he means it

Boris Johnson's hero is Churchill.

Boris's goal is to be a modern Churchill.

Boris is facing an open goal.

If he doesn't screw it up he can live in history down the ages as the prime minister who freed his country. All he has to do is leave the EU without a deal. This is because the only deal on offer makes Britain a powerless colony of the EU. 

I like Boris. I like his lightly worn intelligence. I like his optimism. And I love the fact that he clearly loves our country. 

That last point seems like a low bar to pass, but the last PM who met it left office almost 30 years ago.

I like Boris, but I don't trust him.

Boris only became a Brexiteer just before the 2016 referendum and famously he was so conflicted on the issue that he wrote two newspaper columns on his position, one pro Brexit and the other pro Remain.

And it's altogether likely that what decided him in the end was that being a Brexiteer would boost his chances of landing the premiership.

Then there's the fact that he clung onto office under Treason May long after her intention to betray her country was clear.

And, of course, Boris voted for the colony-light Withdrawal Agreement (WA) that he himself had referred to as a 'big turd'.

But on the other hand, the bum's rush out of the Party he gave those 21 Conservative MPs who voted against Brexit showed a new side to Boris. A Boris that understands what's at stake.

That impression was strengthened by his declaration that he'd "rather be dead in a ditch" than go and ask Brussels for a delay to Brexit. 

Later he seemed to flip-flop as he emphasised the progress he's making in negotiations with Brussels.

It's impossible to predict which way Boris will jump. His overtures to Brussels could be merely a head fake to confuse Remainers. Or maybe he is really wants to pass the disgusting surrender document that is the WA.

Boris is facing an open goal to become his country's hero.

If he goes for No Deal there will be a few tough days or weeks as the EU tries to hurt our trade and the media plays up the disruption as an apocalypse.

But EU disruption won't last. On the edge of recession, they need us to buy their goods and all problems will melt away as they come to terms with reality.

However, if he goes for the WA without the backstop there will be temporary peace for about a week as we pass through the eye of the storm. Then people will begin to learn just how shameful and oppressive the WA is and Boris will  spend the rest of a pathetic premiership getting humiliated by Brussels at every turn as they manoeuvre Britain back towards the EU.

Being dead in a ditch would really be preferable to that.

It should be an easy choice. 

But to make it, Boris has to face down the media, his family, most of his friends and most of his party.

But the goal is open. 

We know that because the whining and lamentation has reached fever pitch. They know that their last defences are down and that the only person who can stop Boris is Boris.

Take the shot Boris. Immortal fame was never won so cheaply.