All things Boris

Boris Johnson is of course one of the most distinctive political leaders of recent times. With his mop of unruly blond hair, plummy Etonian tones, and carefully confected air of bumbling amiability, he seems to have been on the British political scene for decades. In fact, his political career has been relatively short by comparison with many of his peers. This in turn helps explain the timing of Unleashed. As becomes clear, Johnson is in no mood for idle reminiscence or nostalgia for the top table. Far from it. The easily discernible purpose of the text is a lengthy celebration of all things Boris, together with a modest mea culpa for allowing his regime to lose discipline during the Covid pandemic and to open the door for the criticism that he was applying double standards with the British public. What we have here is a generously proportioned aide-mémoire for those who might have forgotten his achievements as mayor of London, foreign secretary, and, latterly, prime minister, as well as a promise to be a better person when duty comes knocking again, as clearly he thinks it should.