Boris Johnson, born Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson on June 19, 1964, is a British politician, writer, and former journalist who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from July 2019 to September 2022. He is a member of the Conservative Party and was also the Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016. His career has been marked by a blend of political controversies, charismatic leadership, and significant political achievements, making him one of the most recognizable figures in British politics.

Johnson was born in New York City to British parents, which gave him dual citizenship. His family moved back to the UK when he was a child. He was educated at prestigious schools, including Eton College, and later attended Balliol College, Oxford, where he studied Classics. At Oxford, Johnson became president of the Oxford Union, an influential debating society, which marked the beginning of his public persona as a witty and often controversial speaker.

Before entering politics, Johnson worked as a journalist. He wrote for "The Times" but was dismissed for fabricating a quote. He then joined "The Daily Telegraph," where he became the Brussels correspondent, gaining prominence for his critical coverage of the European Union. This role helped establish him as a leading Eurosceptic voice, a stance that would later become a defining feature of his political career. Johnson also worked as the editor of "The Spectator" from 1999 to 2005.

Johnson's political career began in earnest when he was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Henley in 2001. He became known for his eccentric personality and media-savvy approach. Despite several controversies, including instances of making offensive remarks, he remained popular within certain sections of the Conservative Party. In 2008, he was elected Mayor of London, a position he held for two terms. During his time as mayor, he implemented policies such as the introduction of the "Boris Bikes" (a public bicycle-sharing system) and worked on infrastructure projects, including the London 2012 Olympic Games.

In 2016, Johnson played a leading role in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union, commonly known as Brexit. His support for the "Leave" campaign was seen as instrumental in the referendum's outcome, which resulted in a 52% vote in favor of leaving the EU. Following the referendum, Johnson was appointed Foreign Secretary by Prime Minister Theresa May, but he resigned in 2018 over disagreements regarding her Brexit strategy.

In 2019, Johnson succeeded Theresa May as Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister after she struggled to get her Brexit deal through Parliament. Johnson called a general election in December 2019, which resulted in a significant Conservative victory, securing a mandate to "get Brexit done." Under his leadership, the UK officially left the EU on January 31, 2020.

Johnson's tenure as Prime Minister was defined by several challenges, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. His government faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, particularly during the early stages. Johnson himself contracted the virus in 2020 and was hospitalized in intensive care, an event that garnered significant public attention. In addition to the pandemic, Johnson's time in office was marred by controversies, including accusations of cronyism and the "Partygate" scandal, in which he was found to have broken lockdown rules by attending gatherings at Downing Street.

In July 2022, following a series of resignations from his government and pressure from within the Conservative Party, Johnson announced his resignation as Prime Minister. He remained in office until September 2022, when Liz Truss succeeded him.

Beyond politics, Johnson has authored several books, including biographies and works of fiction. He is known for his distinctive, often disheveled appearance and his ability to connect with voters through humor and charisma, despite being a polarizing figure.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Johnson