Quote Originally Posted by Philippus Flavius Homovallumus View Post
I feel this is something of a non sequiter, to be honest.

As I noted previously, this is very much a "negative election" where the winner will be the one people are willing to hold their noses for, not the one they like.

In fact, Johnson has been interviewed, he has debated Corbyn, if he refuses to be exposed to the extent the other candidates are it will hurt him. Johnson may not feel shame (oh, to be that posh) but he's aware of the concept and when others expect him to be "shamed". I don't think he has a good excuse not to do the Andrew Neil interview, which is why he'll do it... last.

At the last minute.

Let's be clear, though, nobody's really supporting Johnson here - the best that can probably said is that some of us would be able to hold a civil conversation with him.
In any election, the incumbent always has an advantage and the most to loose from an interview / debate gaffe. All the others have the most to gain to be seen as an equal and perhaps saying something memorable.

So for quite a number of years the former tries to limit things as far as possible with the challengers yapping to get as many debates as possible.

I'm sure Boris knows he's at best tolerated. So he's limiting the damage he can do - leaving Corbyn to damage himself.