Boris Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from July 2019 to September 2022. Before that, he was Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016 and Foreign Secretary from 2016 to 2018. He led the UK’s departure from the European Union and resigned as Prime Minister following a series of political scandals.
Who Is Boris Johnson?
Boris Johnson, full name Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, is a British politician, journalist, and author best known for leading the UK’s exit from the European Union and for serving as Prime Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic. He held 3 major UK public offices across his career: Mayor of London, Foreign Secretary, and Prime Minister.
He is widely recognised for his distinctive public speaking style, his role in the Brexit referendum campaign, and the controversies that ultimately led to his resignation from Downing Street.
When and Where Was Boris Johnson Born?
Boris Johnson was born on 19 June 1964 in Manhattan, New York City, to English parents. His family returned to the United Kingdom when he was 5 years old.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson |
| Date of birth | 19 June 1964 |
| Place of birth | Manhattan, New York City, United States |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative Party |
| Years as Prime Minister | 24 July 2019 to 6 September 2022 |
| Years as Mayor of London | 4 May 2008 to 9 May 2016 |
| Years as Foreign Secretary | 13 July 2016 to 9 July 2018 |
He experienced hearing impairment as a child, which was corrected through several medical operations. Johnson is the son of Stanley Johnson, a former Member of the European Parliament, and the great-grandson of Ali Kemal, the last Interior Minister of the Ottoman Empire.
What Is Boris Johnson’s Educational Background?
Boris Johnson was educated at Eton College on a King’s Scholarship before studying Classics at Balliol College, Oxford. As a child, he lived in New York City, London, and Brussels before attending boarding school in England.
At Oxford, he served as President of the Oxford Union, one of the world’s most prominent student debating societies. His time there is widely credited with shaping the public speaking skills and political ambitions that defined his later career. He graduated with a second-class degree in Classics.
What Was Boris Johnson’s Career Before Politics?
Boris Johnson began his career as a journalist, writing for The Times before joining The Daily Telegraph, where he built a reputation for opinion writing on European Union affairs. From 1999 to 2005, he served as editor of The Spectator magazine.
3 stages defined his pre-political career:
- The Times (late 1980s): His first journalism role, which ended after he was dismissed for fabricating a quote.
- The Daily Telegraph (1989 to 1994, as Brussels correspondent): His reporting on the EU during this period helped shape his later Euroscepticism.
- The Spectator (1999 to 2005, as editor): He led the influential political magazine while also serving as a Member of Parliament, combining journalism and early political office simultaneously.
How Did Boris Johnson’s Political Career Begin?
Boris Johnson first ran for Parliament in 1997 and lost, before winning the Conservative-held seat of Henley, Oxfordshire, in the 2001 general election. His television appearances and media profile as a journalist contributed significantly to his early political recognition.
In 2004, he was forced to resign from his positions as Conservative Party vice-chair and shadow arts minister after being found to have lied about an extramarital affair. He rebounded from this setback, winning re-election to his Henley seat in 2005 and later becoming shadow higher education minister under Conservative leader David Cameron.
When Was Boris Johnson Mayor of London?
Boris Johnson served as Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016, winning election twice against Labour’s Ken Livingstone. He first won the mayoralty on 1 May 2008 and was re-elected in 2012.
3 notable achievements from his time as Mayor:
- London 2012 Olympic Games: He oversaw the city’s hosting of the Olympics, a major event during his tenure.
- The “Boris Bike” cycle hire scheme: Introduced in 2010, the scheme became closely associated with his public image.
- The New Routemaster bus: A redesigned version of London’s iconic double-decker bus, introduced during his time in office.
His mayoral tenure began with the resignation of several senior aides but stabilised over subsequent years, and his public profile grew substantially during this period.
What Was Boris Johnson’s Role in Brexit?
Boris Johnson was a leading figure in the “Leave” campaign during the 2016 referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union. His support for Leave was widely seen as significant in shaping public opinion ahead of the June 2016 vote.
Following the referendum result, he was appointed Foreign Secretary by incoming Prime Minister Theresa May, a role he held from July 2016 to July 2018. He resigned from this position in protest over the government’s Brexit negotiating strategy.
When Did Boris Johnson Become Prime Minister?
Boris Johnson became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 24 July 2019, succeeding Theresa May after winning the Conservative Party leadership contest. May had resigned as party leader on 7 June 2019 following repeated parliamentary rejections of her Brexit withdrawal agreement.
In the December 2019 general election, Johnson led the Conservative Party to its largest House of Commons majority since 1987, securing the party’s highest vote share since 1979. This result delivered a significant realignment in British politics, with the Conservatives winning support in areas they had not traditionally represented.
What Happened During Boris Johnson’s Time as Prime Minister?
Boris Johnson’s premiership was defined by 3 major events: delivering Brexit, managing the UK’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a series of political controversies that ultimately led to his resignation.
| Event | Period | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| UK’s formal exit from the EU | 31 January 2020 | Brexit legally completed under his leadership |
| COVID-19 pandemic response | 2020 to 2022 | Included multiple national lockdowns; Johnson himself was hospitalised with COVID-19 in April 2020 |
| “Partygate” scandal | 2021 to 2022 | Investigations into gatherings at Downing Street during lockdown restrictions |
| Resignation as Prime Minister | 7 July 2022 | Announced following a wave of ministerial resignations |
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson tested positive for the virus and was admitted to intensive care at St Thomas’ Hospital on 5 April 2020. He was discharged on 12 April 2020 after his condition improved.
Why Did Boris Johnson Resign as Prime Minister?
Boris Johnson announced his resignation as Conservative Party leader on 7 July 2022, following a mass resignation of government ministers triggered by a series of scandals, most notably the “Partygate” controversy over gatherings at Downing Street during COVID-19 lockdowns. He remained in office as caretaker Prime Minister until his successor was chosen, with Liz Truss taking over on 6 September 2022.
The controversies that led to his resignation were widely covered by British and international media at the time, and his handling of the pandemic response and internal government conduct remained points of ongoing political debate following his departure.
What Has Boris Johnson Done Since Leaving Downing Street?
Since resigning as an MP in June 2023, Boris Johnson has focused on writing, paid public speaking, and media commentary rather than holding elected office. He has not returned to a formal government or parliamentary role.
His activities since leaving office include:
- Writing a regular column for the Daily Mail
- Delivering paid speeches internationally, including engagements in Edinburgh and at the Saudi Media Forum in 2025
- Serving as a member of the International Task Force on Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, alongside former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
- Publishing a memoir covering his time in office
Reports indicate he earned approximately £5.1 million from 34 paid speeches between October 2022 and May 2024. He remains a vocal figure within the Conservative Party’s right wing, frequently commenting on current government policy from outside elected office.
What Is Boris Johnson’s Personal Life Like?
Boris Johnson has been married 3 times and has several children. His personal life has drawn significant media attention throughout his public career, alongside his political and journalistic work.
He is the eldest of 4 children born to Stanley Johnson and Charlotte Johnson Wahl. His father’s political career, including service as a Member of the European Parliament, provided an early connection to European political life that later shaped his own public positioning on EU-related issues.