Boris Johnson

myminifactory

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson was born on June 19, 1964. A British politician since 2008, he served as Mayor of London. Initially known for his journalism career, Johnson became editor of The Spectator in 1999. He later represented Henley in Parliament from 2001 to 2008. As a Conservative Party member, Johnson considers himself a One Nation Conservative and has supported both economically liberal and socially liberal policies. Born in New York City to English parents, Johnson was educated at the European School of Brussels, Ashdown House School, and Eton College. He studied Classics at Balliol College, Oxford, where he joined the Bullingdon Club and became President of the Oxford Union in 1986. Starting his journalism career at The Times, Johnson moved to The Daily Telegraph, influencing Eurosceptic sentiment among British conservatives through his Brussels correspondent articles. As Assistant Editor from 1994 to 1999, Johnson took editorship of The Spectator until 2005. He joined the Conservatives and won MP for Henley in 2001. During his time in the House of Commons, Johnson became a prominent figure, writing books and appearing regularly on television. Under Conservative leaders Michael Howard and David Cameron, he served on the opposition front bench as Shadow Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries and then Higher Education. Johnson was chosen to run as the Conservative candidate for the 2008 London mayoral election and defeated Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone to become Mayor, resigning his parliamentary seat. During his first term, he banned alcohol on public transport and managed the 2012 London Olympic Games. In 2012, Johnson was re-elected as Mayor, defeating Livingstone again. On September 12, 2014, Johnson was selected as the Conservative Party candidate for MP in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in the 2015 general election. As a polarizing figure in British politics and journalism, Johnson has been praised as an entertaining and popular politician while criticized for racism, homophobia, laziness, and dishonest reporting. He is featured in several biographies and fictionalized portrayals.