Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson (born New York, June 19, 1964) is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Conservative Party, serving since July 2019. Previously, he served as Mayor of London from May 2008 to May 2016 and as UK Foreign Minister from July 2016 to July 2018. He is a noted supporter of Brexit. Johnson defeated incumbent London mayor Ken Livingstone in 2008 and was succeeded by Sadiq Khanâ, the first Islamic mayor of any European capital.
| Boris Johnson | |
|---|---|
| |
| 77th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom | |
| Term of office July 24, 2019 - present | |
| Political party | Conservative Party |
| Preceded by | David Cameron |
| Born | June 19, 1964 New York City |
| Spouse | Allegra Mostyn-Owen (div.) Marina Wheeler (div.) |
Boris Johnson's campaign for Mayor of London from the Conservative Party was in a majority Labour party dominated region. Johnson promised during the campaign that he would roll back a recent expansion of Central London congestion charging Livingstone had introduced.[1] He also advocated the removal of articulated, or "bendy", buses that had been introduced to London.[2] He also called for minor changes to law and order in London in the form of a ban on drinking alcohol on public transport (the London Underground in particular)[3] and the revocation of free travel for youths who misbehave on buses and trains.
Early life and career
Johnson was born in New York City. He no longer claims US citizenship because he chose to renounce it following trouble entering the US on his British passport.[4] However, he did not clarify whether he had ever formally renounced his US citizenship before a US consular officer and it is uncertain whether he remains a citizen under U.S. law.
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
On July 13, 2016, Johnson was appointed as the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by Prime Minister Theresa May.[5]
In July 2018, due to his opposition to May's Brexit plan which undermined UK sovereignty and independence, Johnson resigned as Foreign Secretary.[6] He was replaced by Jeremy Hunt, who he later competed against and defeated in the race for leader of the Conservative Party.
Premiership
On July 23, 2019, Johnson won the Conservative Party leadership election, campaigning on a strongly pro-Brexit platform and defeating Jeremy Hunt. By winning the leadership election, he also became the UK's prime minister.[7]
Political views
Johnson holds a mix of conservative and liberal views. For example, he has been described as the "British Trump", though the several liberal positions he takes undermines such a comparison.[8] He has made statements both supporting and opposing the EU during his career,[9] though he strongly supported Brexit and the restoration of UK sovereignty in the 2016 referendum.
Johnson has taken open borders positions on immigration in the past.[10]
Johnson announced during the 2008 US presidential campaign that he favored an Obama victory.[11] However, he has relatively good relations with Donald Trump.[12][13]
Johnson is highly critical of Russian president Vladimir Putin. When in March 2018 former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in Salisbury, Johnson compared Russia's hosting of the World Cup to Adolf Hitler's hosting of the Olympic Games in 1936.[14]
Further Information
References
- â http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7188239.stm
- â http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23411785-details/Scrap+the+bendy+bus+and+bring+back+Routemasters,+says+Boris/article.do
- â http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7387113.stm
- â http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1681132/posts
- â Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
- â Lane, Oliver JJ (July 9, 2018). British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson Resigns Government Amid Brexit Rebellion. Breitbart News. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
See also:- Former foreign minister Johnson warns Britain will end up like colony to the EU after Brexit. Reuters. July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- Montgomery, Jack (July 9, 2018). BORIS SPEAKS: âBrexit is Dying, White Flags Are Fluttering, May Deal Will Make Britain an EU Colonyâ. Breitbart News. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- â Multiple references:
- Lane, Oliver JJ (July 23, 2019). Boris Johnson Wins UK Leadership Race, Will be Prime Minister. Breitbart News. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- Fidler, Stephen; Colchester, Max (July 23, 2019). Boris Johnson to Become U.K. Prime Minister After Winning Party Election. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- Friedman, Victoria (July 23, 2019). âDoes He Have the Courage to Deliver?â: Reactions to Johnsonâs Leadership Victory. Breitbart News. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- â Montgomery, Jack (July 23, 2019). Boris the British Trump? Not So Fast⦠Breitbart News. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- â MacAskill, Andrew (June 11, 2019). Factbox: Die-hard eurosceptic or opportunist? Boris Johnson's views on the EU. Reuters. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
- â Friedman, Victoria (July 23, 2019). Flashback: âAmnesty Borisâ on Illegals, Open Borders to Turkey, Migration Caps. Breitbart News. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- â [1]
- â Spiering, Charlie (July 23, 2019). Donald Trump Congratulates Boris Johnson for Prime Minister Victory. Breitbart News. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- â Lane, Oliver JJ (July 23, 2019). Trump Welcomes Prime Minister Boris Johnson: âHe Will Be Great!â Breitbart News. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- â Wintour, Patrick (21 March 2018). Boris Johnson compares Russian World Cup to Hitler's 1936 Olympics (en).