Historian Anthony Seldon is one of the finest and most respected observers of British political life. A prolific writer, he specializes in chronicling the terms of UK prime ministers, from Margaret Thatcher to Liz Truss, to whom he dedicated his latest book (Truss at 10, Atlantic Books) published at the end of August. He is now working on Rishi Sunak's term, brought to an abrupt end by the Conservatives' massive defeat in the July 4 general election. In his books, he recounts the deeds of the heads of the government but also judges the quality of their time at 10 Downing Street.
As Boris Johnson's memoirs (Unleashed, Stock) are being published in France, full of funny anecdotes and sarcastic portraits, and as the ex-leader displays all his charm in the French media (his unique looks, his very good French and his humorous traits), it is worth recalling Seldon's verdict on the ex-mayor of London (2008-2016) – who arrived in 2019 at Downing Street, from where he was driven out by scandals in the summer of 2022 – so as not to lose sight of the poisoned legacy he left his country. Boris Johnson will "go down in history as certainly the worst prime minister of the modern era." "He was a great orator, he was a great optimist, he was a great storyteller as a performer, it's just he didn't have a credible story to tell," said the historian on Monday, December 2, at a conference organized by the center-right think tank Bright Blue.
"He didn't do anything for the country, leave aside Brexit... This was the golden moment when Britain came out of the EU to forge ahead and to double down on all the benefits for Brexit – he didn't do it. [...] 'Leveling up,' great idea, great slogan. Zero done. [...] He was outstanding and exceptional after the invasion of Ukraine," said Seldon. In a well-researched book (Johnson at 10, Atlantic Books), he backs up his harsh judgment, describing the leader's lack of seriousness, his little respect for the country's institutions and Brexit, which was initially the instrument of his ambition. "Johnson's decision on whether to back Remain or not was always going to be guided by his personal calculus," wrote the historian.
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