The absurd life of Boris Johnson - the man that could be Britain's next Conservative Prime Minister
While at Oxford University, Boris was President of the Oxford Union — a position held by former Conservative leader William Hague and ex-Prime Minister Edward Heath.
![The absurd life of Boris Johnson - the man that could be Britain's next Conservative Prime Minister](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-52910420%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-230137%2Fwhile-at-oxford-university-boris-was-president-of-the-oxford-union-a-position-held-by-former-conservative-leader-william-hague-and-ex-prime-minister-edward-heath-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Johnson went to both the school (Eton College) and university with Prime Minister David Cameron, but Boris was much more obviously political at the time.
![Johnson went to both the school (Eton College) and university with Prime Minister David Cameron, but Boris was much more obviously political at the time.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910421,width-700,height-525,imgsize-277280/johnson-went-to-both-the-school-eton-college-and-university-with-prime-minister-david-cameron-but-boris-was-much-more-obviously-political-at-the-time-.jpg)
Johnson was sacked after a brief career at London-based newspaper The Times, and then worked for The Daily Telegraph as the paper's Brussels correspondent, gaining a name for himself in the centre-right press.
![Johnson was sacked after a brief career at London-based newspaper The Times, and then worked for The Daily Telegraph as the paper](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910422,width-700,height-525,imgsize-855022/johnson-was-sacked-after-a-brief-career-at-london-based-newspaper-the-times-and-then-worked-for-the-daily-telegraph-as-the-papers-brussels-correspondent-gaining-a-name-for-himself-in-the-centre-right-press-.jpg)
Politics and journalism runs in the family: Boris' brother Jo Johnson is also a Conservative politician, following a career as an investment banker and as a bureau chief at the Financial Times.
![Politics and journalism runs in the family: Boris](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910423,width-700,height-525,imgsize-320069/politics-and-journalism-runs-in-the-family-boris-brother-jo-johnson-is-also-a-conservative-politician-following-a-career-as-an-investment-banker-and-as-a-bureau-chief-at-the-financial-times-.jpg)
Boris was appointed as editor of the Spectator magazine in 1999, before being selected for the Conservative seat of Henley on Thames and elected in 2001.
![Boris was appointed as editor of the Spectator magazine in 1999, before being selected for the Conservative seat of Henley on Thames and elected in 2001.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910426,width-700,height-525,imgsize-849884/boris-was-appointed-as-editor-of-the-spectator-magazine-in-1999-before-being-selected-for-the-conservative-seat-of-henley-on-thames-and-elected-in-2001-.jpg)
Boris was embroiled in scandal in his early years as a politician. In 2003, as a member of Parliament (MP) and still Spectator editor, he said the city of Liverpool reveled in a "victim status."
![Boris was embroiled in scandal in his early years as a politician. In 2003, as a member of Parliament (MP) and still Spectator editor, he said the city of Liverpool reveled in a "victim status."](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910428,width-700,height-525,imgsize-178452/boris-was-embroiled-in-scandal-in-his-early-years-as-a-politician-in-2003-as-a-member-of-parliament-mp-and-still-spectator-editor-he-said-the-city-of-liverpool-reveled-in-a-victim-status-.jpg)
Despite the repeated gaffes, people warmed to Boris, though the incidents often come off as clownish, they make him seem more authentic than normal politicians.
![Despite the repeated gaffes, people warmed to Boris, though the incidents often come off as clownish, they make him seem more authentic than normal politicians.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910429,width-700,height-525,imgsize-287814/despite-the-repeated-gaffes-people-warmed-to-boris-though-the-incidents-often-come-off-as-clownish-they-make-him-seem-more-authentic-than-normal-politicians-.jpg)
In 2004, Johnson lied about having an extra-marital affair and Conservative leader Michael Howard sacked him as shadow minister for the arts.
![In 2004, Johnson lied about having an extra-marital affair and Conservative leader Michael Howard sacked him as shadow minister for the arts.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910430,width-700,height-525,imgsize-437044/in-2004-johnson-lied-about-having-an-extra-marital-affair-and-conservative-leader-michael-howard-sacked-him-as-shadow-minister-for-the-arts-.jpg)
By 2005, when David Cameron was elected as leader of the Conservative party, Johnson was back as higher education minister.
![By 2005, when David Cameron was elected as leader of the Conservative party, Johnson was back as higher education minister.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910431,width-700,height-525,imgsize-240056/by-2005-when-david-cameron-was-elected-as-leader-of-the-conservative-party-johnson-was-back-as-higher-education-minister-.jpg)
In 2008, Boris stood down as an MP and defeated the incumbent Labour party's Ken Livingstone in London's third mayoral election.
![In 2008, Boris stood down as an MP and defeated the incumbent Labour party](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910433,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1440826/in-2008-boris-stood-down-as-an-mp-and-defeated-the-incumbent-labour-partys-ken-livingstone-in-londons-third-mayoral-election-.jpg)
The city's bike hire scheme now unofficially bears Johnson's name — pretty much everyone refers to them as "Boris bikes." Here he is riding one with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
![The city](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910434,width-700,height-525,imgsize-270832/the-citys-bike-hire-scheme-now-unofficially-bears-johnsons-name-pretty-much-everyone-refers-to-them-as-boris-bikes-here-he-is-riding-one-with-arnold-schwarzenegger-.jpg)
He also made a big deal of bringing back London's Routemaster buses, replacing the "bendy buses" which were used under Ken Livingstone.
![He also made a big deal of bringing back London](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910435,width-700,height-525,imgsize-228372/he-also-made-a-big-deal-of-bringing-back-londons-routemaster-buses-replacing-the-bendy-buses-which-were-used-under-ken-livingstone-.jpg)
In 2012, as part of a promotional event for the Olympics, Boris was stuck on a zip wire.
![In 2012, as part of a promotional event for the Olympics, Boris was stuck on a zip wire.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910436,width-700,height-525,imgsize-966463/in-2012-as-part-of-a-promotional-event-for-the-olympics-boris-was-stuck-on-a-zip-wire-.jpg)
In 2012, Boris won re-election as Mayor in another contest against Ken Livingstone, winning by a smaller margin — London generally tends to vote more for the Labour party.
![In 2012, Boris won re-election as Mayor in another contest against Ken Livingstone, winning by a smaller margin — London generally tends to vote more for the Labour party.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910437,width-700,height-525,imgsize-177997/in-2012-boris-won-re-election-as-mayor-in-another-contest-against-ken-livingstone-winning-by-a-smaller-margin-london-generally-tends-to-vote-more-for-the-labour-party-.jpg)
Boris has kept a constant media profile. With no major gaffes in quite some time, the idea of him leading the Tory party has become increasingly more realistic.
![Boris has kept a constant media profile. With no major gaffes in quite some time, the idea of him leading the Tory party has become increasingly more realistic.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910438,width-700,height-525,imgsize-473666/boris-has-kept-a-constant-media-profile-with-no-major-gaffes-in-quite-some-time-the-idea-of-him-leading-the-tory-party-has-become-increasingly-more-realistic-.jpg)
But his critics called him an inactive Mayor, using the position to boost his personal publicity. Here he is with BBC presenter Jeremy Paxman on a tandem bike.
![But his critics called him an inactive Mayor, using the position to boost his personal publicity. Here he is with BBC presenter Jeremy Paxman on a tandem bike.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910439,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1110881/but-his-critics-called-him-an-inactive-mayor-using-the-position-to-boost-his-personal-publicity-here-he-is-with-bbc-presenter-jeremy-paxman-on-a-tandem-bike-.jpg)
His popularity figures are perpetually high, regularly beating all other British politicians. A poll in June of 2014 showed him 13 points clear of David Cameron.
![His popularity figures are perpetually high, regularly beating all other British politicians. A poll in June of 2014 showed him 13 points clear of David Cameron.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910440,width-700,height-525,imgsize-184589/his-popularity-figures-are-perpetually-high-regularly-beating-all-other-british-politicians-a-poll-in-june-of-2014-showed-him-13-points-clear-of-david-cameron-.jpg)
Boris announced in August 2014 that he would run in the upcoming general election.
![Boris announced in August 2014 that he would run in the upcoming general election.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910441,width-700,height-525,imgsize-456880/boris-announced-in-august-2014-that-he-would-run-in-the-upcoming-general-election-.jpg)
In May 2015, Boris won the Parliament seat in Uxbridge, while the Conservative victory gave David Cameron a second term as Prime Minister.
![In May 2015, Boris won the Parliament seat in Uxbridge, while the Conservative victory gave David Cameron a second term as Prime Minister.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910442,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1241405/in-may-2015-boris-won-the-parliament-seat-in-uxbridge-while-the-conservative-victory-gave-david-cameron-a-second-term-as-prime-minister-.jpg)
After rumors circulated in October 2015 that David Cameron would step down early, Boris' name floated around as a possible replacement — Cameron had mentioned him as a possible successor when he said he would only serve two terms.
![After rumors circulated in October 2015 that David Cameron would step down early, Boris](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910443,width-700,height-525,imgsize-771770/after-rumors-circulated-in-october-2015-that-david-cameron-would-step-down-early-boris-name-floated-around-as-a-possible-replacement-cameron-had-mentioned-him-as-a-possible-successor-when-he-said-he-would-only-serve-two-terms-.jpg)
As debate over Brexit heated up in early 2016, Boris said his country had a "great, great future" outside the EU, but said he'd rather see the UK remain in a reformed EU.
![As debate over Brexit heated up in early 2016, Boris said his country had a "great, great future" outside the EU, but said he](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910444,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1103945/as-debate-over-brexit-heated-up-in-early-2016-boris-said-his-country-had-a-great-great-future-outside-the-eu-but-said-hed-rather-see-the-uk-remain-in-a-reformed-eu-.jpg)
On February 21, Boris Johnson officially came out in favor of Britain leaving the European Union, giving the "Leave" campaign a significant boost.
![On February 21, Boris Johnson officially came out in favor of Britain leaving the European Union, giving the "Leave" campaign a significant boost.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910445,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1055832/on-february-21-boris-johnson-officially-came-out-in-favor-of-britain-leaving-the-european-union-giving-the-leave-campaign-a-significant-boost-.jpg)
In March, Boris told a Treasury committee that there were "no good economic arguments" for Britain staying in the EU.
![In March, Boris told a Treasury committee that there were "no good economic arguments" for Britain staying in the EU.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910446,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1021915/in-march-boris-told-a-treasury-committee-that-there-were-no-good-economic-arguments-for-britain-staying-in-the-eu-.jpg)
When Obama encouraged Britain to stay in the EU, Boris shot back, calling him a "part-Kenyan" with hypocritical views.
![When Obama encouraged Britain to stay in the EU, Boris shot back, calling him a "part-Kenyan" with hypocritical views.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910448,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1302466/when-obama-encouraged-britain-to-stay-in-the-eu-boris-shot-back-calling-him-a-part-kenyan-with-hypocritical-views-.jpg)
Just weeks before the referendum, David Cameron said Boris could be the next prime minister. Some speculate his leadership of the "Leave" campaign has earned him Conservative support.
![Just weeks before the referendum, David Cameron said Boris could be the next prime minister. Some speculate his leadership of the "Leave" campaign has earned him Conservative support.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910449,width-700,height-525,imgsize-626752/just-weeks-before-the-referendum-david-cameron-said-boris-could-be-the-next-prime-minister-some-speculate-his-leadership-of-the-leave-campaign-has-earned-him-conservative-support-.jpg)
Now that Britain has officially voted to leave the EU and David Cameron has resigned, Boris is a favorite to become the new prime minister.
![Now that Britain has officially voted to leave the EU and David Cameron has resigned, Boris is a favorite to become the new prime minister.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-52910450,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1225928/now-that-britain-has-officially-voted-to-leave-the-eu-and-david-cameron-has-resigned-boris-is-a-favorite-to-become-the-new-prime-minister-.jpg)
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