Boris Johnson, the new elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 2019, starts his first speech off by disclosing that the Queen and him have agreed to form a government. A brief expression of appreciation and gratitude for his predecessor, Theresa May, also surfaces. Throughout the speech, Johnson assures the people that he is the man that will unite Great Britain. Furthermore, he addresses the Brexit deal and how it is yet to be carried out by the previous administration, but he will be the one to do it no matter the difficulties. He continues by expressing his optimism about the future of Great Britain by mentioning better welfare and the other opportunities that await Britain.
Analytical Essay
The main circumstances of the first speech as Prime Minister are related to Theresa May, who stepped down as Prime Minister. Theresa May, who wished for Britain to leave the EU was rejected several times, thus delaying the Brexit. Johnson pays his respect and mentions her efforts to deliver Brexit and the deadlock that followed: “But in spite of all her efforts, it has become clear that there are pessimists at home and abroad who think, after three years of indecision, that this country has become a prisoner to the old arguments of 2016 and in this home of democracy we are incapable of honouring a democratic mandate.” (P.1, ll. 5-7). In the following, Boris addresses the mistrust that may have been created by the deadlock, but he does that rather vaguely. Instead of taking the arguments from 2016 head-on. He uses the adjective old to make them seem irrelevant and outdated. Although his argumentation in that phrase was rather vague, Boris Johnson mainly uses a formal style of language, which is appropriate for his role as Prime Minister and the topic of Brexit and Britain’s future: “And I will tell you something else about my job. It is to be prime minister of the whole United Kingdom. And that means uniting our country, answering at last the plea of the forgotten people and the left-behind 40 towns by physically and literally renewing the ties that bind us together” (P.2, ll. 38-40). The high register language as well as the choice of words helps him to be taken seriously and to express his patriotism. On the other hand, Johnson occasionally uses an informal style: “The doubters, the doomsters, the gloomsters – they are going to get it wrong again” (P.1, ll.9). The informal style, as well as wordplay, helps him connect with the people of the United Kingdom and makes him seem more down-to-earth. It makes him characteristic. Furthermore, Johnson also speaks a message of unity. Since it is Johnson who must form a government and the main circumstance is about Brexit, it is to some degree polarizing. Therefore, he uses a tactic that unifies the country by focusing on something that the majority of people can agree on while injecting his political agenda: “[…] that we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve”. (P.2, ll.28-30). By stating this, he promises the country a widely agreed-on topic and he is therefore using a populist tone and tries to represent the ideas of ordinary people. In addition to this, his choice of words also helps him appeal to pathos:” The awesome foursome that are incarnated in that red, white, and blue flag – who together are so much more than the sum of their parts, and whose brand and political personality is admired and even loved around the world.” (P.2, ll.47-49). As a result, it stirs feelings of unity and pride. He tries to solve the social divides between UK’s different countries. He does this by referring to the flag, which is a patriotic and unifying element. The reason for this is that they cannot afford to fall apart when they are on their own after Brexit.
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