Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British politician and journalist; he is a former Prime Minister and currently holds no public office. Politically associated with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), he is one of the most recognisable and divisive figures in modern British politics.

Political career

Born in 1964 in New York City to British parents, Johnson was educated at Eton College and then Balliol College, Oxford, where he studied Classics. At Oxford he became president of the Oxford Union, building an early reputation for wit, oratory and performative politics. After university he entered journalism, working at The Times, where he was dismissed over a fabricated quotation, and then at The Daily Telegraph, where he rose to become Brussels correspondent and later assistant editor. His early press career helped shape the combative media style that later defined his politics.

Johnson was first elected as MP for Henley in 2001, after a period as a journalist and commentator that already made him a familiar public figure. He was appointed Conservative Party vice-chairman under Michael Howard in 2004 and then became shadow minister for higher education. In 2008, he won the mayoral election in London and served as Mayor of London (2008–2016). As mayor, he focused on transport, policing, urban development and the city’s international profile. He was re-elected in 2012, giving him a second term and reinforcing his status as a national Conservative star.

In 2016, following the referendum on UK membership of the European Union, Johnson played the most visible public role in the Vote Leave campaign. After the EU referendum result, he became Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs under Theresa May from 2016 to 2018, although his tenure was marked by tensions over Brexit strategy and he resigned in protest at May’s Chequers plan. He later returned to the front line of party politics and, in 2019, was elected Leader of the Conservative Party after Theresa May’s resignation. He entered 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in July 2019 and led the Conservatives to a large election victory in December 2019 on a platform centred on “Get Brexit Done”. He remained Prime Minister until 2022, when his premiership collapsed amid multiple scandals and ministerial resignations.

Johnson is also associated with the endgame of Brexit: he led the government that negotiated and signed the Withdrawal Agreement in 2020, formalising the UK’s departure from the EU.

Relationship with the public

Johnson’s relationship with the public has always combined high recognition with strong polarisation. His style — humorous, informal and often deliberately provocative — has made him highly effective in mass politics, especially among voters who respond to optimism and anti-establishment messaging. As mayor, he built support across parts of London beyond the Conservative core, including among some younger and more culturally liberal voters.

At the same time, his public standing has often depended on a delicate balance between charisma and perceived unreliability. He is skilled at media performance and has long understood how to dominate headlines, but critics argue that his communication style sometimes obscures detail and precision. Civil society groups have often criticised his approach on issues such as migration, public order, inequality and standards in public life. The media, particularly the tabloid press and broadcast politics, have been central to his rise; he has generally been one of the most media-friendly politicians of his generation, though coverage became markedly more hostile during the later years of his premiership.

Positions and political profile

Johnson is usually placed on the centre-right, with a blend of economic pragmatism, social liberalism in parts of his earlier career, and a strongly sovereigntist and patriotic political style. His defining political cause is Brexit, which he championed as a means of restoring democratic control and loosening the UK’s relationship with EU institutions. He is often associated with a broader Eurosceptic instinct, though he was not always a consistent opponent of European integration before becoming the most prominent public advocate of Leave.

He has defended free-market rhetoric, low taxation where politically feasible, and a broadly pro-business stance, while also supporting significant state action when required, notably during the COVID-19 crisis. As Prime Minister, he presided over large-scale public spending commitments, especially outside the traditional Thatcherite model, signalling a move towards “levelling up” in the North and Midlands. That agenda aimed to address regional inequality and weaken Labour’s hold on parts of England, although implementation was uneven.

Inside the Conservative Party, Johnson was often seen as an electoral asset rather than a doctrinal thinker: someone able to win elections and mobilise non-traditional Conservative voters. Outside the party, perceptions were more divided. Supporters saw him as a witty, strategic leader who delivered Brexit and won a substantial parliamentary majority. Critics viewed him as opportunistic, undisciplined and willing to subordinate institutional standards to political advantage.

Key defining moments include:

• the 2016 Brexit referendum, where he became the public face of Leave;
• his 2019 leadership victory and subsequent general election triumph;
• the Withdrawal Agreement and completion of Brexit in 2020;
• and the collapse of confidence in 2022, following repeated controversies and resignations that ended his premiership.

Frequently asked questions

What is Alexander Boris Johnson best known for? He is best known for leading the Vote Leave campaign, serving as Prime Minister from 2019 to 2022, and overseeing the UK’s departure from the EU.

What political party does he belong to? In the context provided, he is associated with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).

What offices has Johnson held? He has served as Mayor of London, Foreign Secretary, Leader of the Conservative Party, Prime Minister, and MP for Henley and later Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

Why is Johnson considered a controversial figure? He is controversial because of his highly populist style, his role in Brexit, and persistent criticism over truthfulness, discipline and standards in office.

What was Johnson’s role in Brexit? He was the most prominent public advocate of Leave in 2016 and later, as Prime Minister, signed the Withdrawal Agreement in 2020.

Is he in office now? No. He currently holds no public office.