Britain | Bagehot

What did you expect from Boris Johnson?

The prime minister, in his own way, is Britain’s most honest politician

BORIS JOHNSON lies often and easily. It is the hallmark of his career. He was fired from his first job, at the Times, for fabricating a quote. As a condition of becoming editor of the Spectator he promised not to stand as an MP, and then promptly did just that. As a shadow minister, he was fired by Michael Howard for lying about an affair. (He later divorced after a few more.) While mayor of London, he said numerous times that he would not stand in the 2015 election, only to turn up as a candidate in Uxbridge.

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “What did you expect?”

Beware the bossy state

From the January 15th 2022 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

Discover more

Flowers and Union Jack flags on a lectern where a citizenship ceremony.

Could you pass the British citizenship test?

If you’re a native-born Briton, almost certainly not

Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks with leaders from across the UK during the International Investment Summit in London, UK.

Blighty newsletter: Three takeaways from an interview with Sir Keir Starmer


Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech on stage during the International Investment Summit.

Sir Keir Starmer’s elevator pitch for investment

In an interview with The Economist, the prime minister sets out his stall


Alex Salmond went from the fringes to the mainstream and back again

The one-time figurehead of Scottish nationalism died on October 12th 2024

Britain’s obsession with baked beans

Health trends and gourmet beans are driving demand for other varieties