Keeping promises is a hard thing for politicians - sometimes it seems that Lars Von Trier is more likely to direct a romantic comedy than a politician will manage to keep their campaign promises. However, no official has been in quite such a predicament as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In September, he said he "would rather be dead in a ditch" than request that the European Union delay Brexit - and lo and behold, on 19 October he sent a letter to Brussels seeking an extension to Brexit. Netizens rushed to accuse the extravagant politician of failing to make good on his promises.
Despite the fact that Johnson was forced into a corner, he is continuing to fight back. Johnson sent a photocopy of the letter with a request to delay Brexit, which he did not sign, while at the same time he sent a letter in which he stressed that prolonging Brexit is damaging for both London and Brussels. The news of the unsigned letter stirred the pot.
Some users suggested that this strategy could be used in other ways – to pay the 39 billion pound Brexit divorce deal or file tax returns.
Other users said they would use Johnson’s strategy when signing Christmas cards.
Still others were furious over a grammar mistake that the prime minister made in the letter to the EU.