It seems that Boris Johnson does have an issue with trust. Not only does the British public not trust him — it seems he doesn’t trust himself.

What other conclusions can anyone draw from his repeated no-shows with TV interviews? Yes, he has attended some, but an appearance on This Morning doesn’t count in my view. Of course, he has attended several debates — pitting his wits against Jeremy Corbyn — presumably much safer ground for Boris.

He failed to attend the climate change debate on Channel 4, sending his father and Michael Gove. The Downing street media machine wasn’t happy with Channel 4’s refusal to let either of them stand in Boris’s place. So much so, they have threatened to review Channel 4’s licence — which is outrageous.

He pulled out of an interview with ITV’s Julie Etchingham and most critically wouldn’t agree to meet with Andrew Neil and be interviewed on the BBC.

What was he afraid of?

I can only draw one conclusion; Boris doesn’t trust himself.

Boris Johnson and the issue of Trust

One word has haunted Boris Johnson throughout this General Election campaign, that word being trust.

He was laughed at by the audience when he offered the response that trust was a key part of being a politician. Why don’t the public trust Boris?

It is for starters, the continuous lies that are fed out as soundbites. There is an endless stream of them — not only from him — but his fellow party members as well.

20,000 more police officers — it’s a great soundbite — it shows positive intent which the public like. But the fact is that police numbers have declined by 20,600 over the last nine years (source fullfact.org). At best, after the recruitment drive will put the headcount back to where it was.

Other lies include 40 more hospitals, a number that changes every time Boris speaks about the NHS. Then there is the denial that austerity didn’t cause homelessness to increase, and that it’s increased the numbers of children in poverty.

Of course, none of this matters to Boris Johnson because he is only interested in doing one thing, and that is leaving the EU. His mantra of ‘Get Brexit Done’ is probably the biggest lie of the lot.

The Andrew Neil interviews

All the main party leaders have been interviewed on TV by the broadcaster and journalist, Andrew Neil — except for Boris Johnson.

Andrew’s interview style is hard, he isn’t afraid to go after a leader’s weaknesses and question them. Party leaders have been exposed, which has made uncomfortable viewing at times. But that is a democracy, it is our right to question and challenge what we are told, so we might make an informed decision about who to vote for.

That’s the power behind the Andrew Neil interviews, and yet Boris refuses. What is he afraid of?

Could it be the lies Boris and the Tories have shared over the last three years? Maybe he is worried about the questions he might face about Russian interference. A report that he prevented being published until after the election. If it was nothing, and the rumours of what it might show are ‘Bermuda triangle stuff’ then why not publish it?

Oh, and what of Brexit itself. This self-developed fantasy that we can agree on the terms of a future relationship with the EU within a year. The only future trading relationship Boris is interested in agreeing with the EU is one where we don’t have one.

Andrew had all these questions prepared, just like he did for all the other political leaders he has interviewed.

But Boris won’t show up.

Why the public must see this for what it is — vote accordingly

I should mention that I’m not a journalist or a political party member — I’m just a member of the public, sharing an opinion. I’m writing this because I’m worried. Next Thursday the country goes to the polls, for one of the most critical general elections the UK has had to face. But, what will the country decide?

Whilst none of the alternatives are particularly palatable, the public must see Boris Johnson for what he is. His only interest is to win, and he will say anything to achieve it.

His refusal to attend interviews with the likes of Andrew Neil shows his contempt for democracy and the reality that he can’t trust himself.

If he can’t trust himself, how can we?