Comments and discussion

In your analysis of Boris Johnson's speech on the EU referendum, you should also look for statements and claims that are particularly interesting or controversial, and discuss them.

For example, the speaker is occasionally offensive with regards to his critics: “So I find it offensive, insulting, irrelevant and positively cretinous to be told – sometimes by people who can barely speak a foreign language – that I belong to a group of small-minded xenophobes...” (ll. 455-457)

Considering that this is a public speech by a politician and Member of the Parliament, his language could come across as informal. His statement is also ironic, taking into account how he started his speech: “I am pleased that this campaign has so far been relatively free of personal abuse – and long may it so remain – but the other day someone insulted me…” (ll. 1-3)

Other interesting aspects worth considering are the statements regarding the failure of the EU project to lead to a common culture and solidarity: “The British...