Boris Johnson

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, born on 19 June 1964 in Manhattan, New York City, is a British politician and author. He held the office of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022 and served as leader of the Conservative Party during that period. Prior to his premiership, Johnson served as Foreign Secretary from 2016 to 2018 and was the second mayor of London from 2008 to 2016. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Henley from 2001 to 2008 and for Uxbridge and South Ruislip from 2015 to 2023.

Johnson's early life began in the United States; he was born on Manhattan's Upper East Side to Stanley Johnson, then studying economics at Columbia University, and Charlotte Fawcett, an artist. His maternal grandfather was Sir James Fawcett, a prominent barrister and former president of the European Commission of Human Rights. The family returned to the United Kingdom in September 1964, shortly after Johnson's birth, and subsequently resided in various locations including Oxford, Washington, D.C., Norwalk, Connecticut, and Somerset.

Johnson was educated at Eton College in Berkshire, where he earned a scholarship and began using his middle name, Boris. His academic performance included prizes in English and Classics. After Eton, he took a gap year in Australia, teaching English and Latin at Timbertop, a school of Geelong Grammar.

In 1983, Johnson matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford, studying Literae Humaniores, a course in Classics, languages, literature, history, and philosophy. During his university years, he was involved in extracurricular activities such as editing the Oxford Union's magazine and serving as secretary of the Oxford Union. He was a member of the Bullingdon Club, an elite dining society.

During his early career, Johnson began working as a journalist. In 1989, he started writing for The Daily Telegraph, and later served as the editor of The Spectator from 1999 to 2005. He was part of the Shadow Cabinet of Michael Howard in 2001 but was dismissed after allegations concerning an extramarital affair. Following Howard's resignation, he joined the Shadow Cabinet under David Cameron.

Johnson was elected mayor of London in 2008, leading to his resignation from the House of Commons to focus on the mayoralty. He was re-elected in 2012 but did not seek re-election in 2016. In the 2015 general election, he was elected MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

A prominent figure in the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign, Johnson advocated for the UK’s exit from the European Union. Following the referendum, Prime Minister Theresa May appointed him Foreign Secretary. He resigned from this role in 2018 in opposition to her Brexit strategy.

In July 2019, Johnson succeeded Theresa May as Prime Minister. His tenure included efforts to renegotiate Brexit, the prorogation of Parliament which was later ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court, and a snap general election in December 2019, resulting in a majority government. His government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with emergency powers and a nationwide vaccination program. Additionally, Johnson’s administration supported Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, imposing sanctions and authorizing military aid.

During his time in office, Johnson was involved in multiple controversies, notably the Partygate scandal, which involved gatherings at 10 Downing Street during COVID-19 restrictions, leading to him receiving a fixed penalty notice in April 2022. The publication of the Sue Gray report and subsequent dissatisfaction among Conservative MPs led to a leadership confidence vote, which he won. However, in July 2022, he announced his resignation following a series of ministerial resignations prompted by disclosures regarding his appointment of Chris Pincher amid allegations of misconduct.

Johnson continued to serve as an MP until June 2023, when reports from the Commons Privileges Committee found that he had lied to Parliament on multiple occasions. On that day, he resigned his seat as MP.