History of Boris Johnson in Timeline
Boris Johnson is a British politician and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022. Previously, he was Foreign Secretary (2016-2018) and Mayor of London (2008-2016). Johnson also served as a Member of Parliament for Henley (2001-2008) and Uxbridge and South Ruislip (2015-2023). He is known for his role in advocating for Brexit and leading the Conservative Party to a significant victory in the 2019 general election.
1922: Vote of Confidence Triggered
In June 2022, the Conservative Party announced that Johnson would face a vote of confidence in his leadership of the party, after at least 54 Conservative MPs wrote no-confidence letters to Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee.
1922: Consideration of Another Confidence Vote
On July 6, 2022, it was reported that Johnson could face another confidence vote, with members of the 1922 Committee considering changing the rules to allow it. Many of the MPs stated that the Pincher affair had led them to change their minds on the suitability of Johnson to be prime minister.
1936: Berlin Olympics
Johnson compared Vladimir Putin's hosting of the World Cup to Adolf Hitler's hosting of the 1936 Olympic Games.
1940: Davis Calls for Resignation
On January 19, 2022, David Davis called for Johnson to resign, quoting Leo Amery from the 1940 Norway Debate, stating, "You have sat there too long for all the good you have done. In the name of God, go."
1945: Johnson warns of a potential war in Europe
On 20 February 2022, Johnson warned that Russia is planning the "biggest war in Europe since 1945" as Putin intends to invade and encircle Kyiv.
1948: Comments on Rohingya Muslims
Johnson condemned the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, comparing the situation with the displacement of Palestinians in 1948.
June 1964: Birth of Boris Johnson
In June 1964, Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson was born in New York City.
September 1964: Family Returned to UK
In September 1964, Johnson's parents returned to the UK.
July 1965: Family Moved to Crouch End
In July 1965, the Johnson family moved to Crouch End in north London.
September 1965: Birth of Rachel Johnson
In September 1965, Johnson's sister Rachel was born.
February 1966: Family Relocated to Washington, DC
In February 1966, the Johnson family relocated to Washington, DC.
September 1967: Birth of Leo Johnson
In September 1967, Johnson's brother Leo was born.
1969: Family Returned to the UK
In 1969, the Johnson family returned to the UK, living at West Nethercote Farm, Somerset.
1969: Family Moved to Maida Vale
In late 1969, the Johnson family moved to Maida Vale in west London.
1970: Return to Nethercote
In 1970, Charlotte and the children briefly returned to Nethercote before settling in Primrose Hill, London.
1971: Birth of Joseph Johnson
In late 1971, Johnson's fourth sibling, Joseph, was born.
1972: Sir James Fawcett
In 1972, Sir James Fawcett became president of the European Commission of Human Rights.
April 1973: Family Moved to Brussels
In April 1973, the Johnson family moved to Uccle, Brussels, after Stanley secured employment at the European Commission.
1975: Sent to Ashdown House
In 1975, Johnson and his siblings were sent back to the UK to attend Ashdown House boarding school.
1977: Arrival at Eton College
In the autumn term of 1977, Johnson arrived at Eton College, adopting the name Boris and developing his eccentric persona.
December 1978: Parents' Relationship Broke Down
In December 1978, Boris Johnson's parents' relationship broke down.
1980: Divorce of his parents
In 1980, Boris Johnson's parents divorced, and Charlotte moved to Notting Hill, London.
1981: Sir James Fawcett
In 1981, Sir James Fawcett ended his time as president of the European Commission of Human Rights.
1981: Became a Member of Pop
In late 1981, Johnson became a member of Pop, an elite group of school prefects at Eton.
1983: Matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford
In late 1983, Boris Johnson matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford, to study Literae Humaniores.
1984: Elected Secretary of the Oxford Union
In 1984, Johnson was elected secretary of the Oxford Union.
1986: Elected President of Oxford Union
In 1986, Boris Johnson was elected as the President of the Oxford Union.
September 1987: Married Allegra Mostyn-Owen
In September 1987, Boris Johnson married Allegra Mostyn-Owen.
1987: Marriage to Allegra Mostyn-Owen
In 1987, Boris Johnson married Allegra Mostyn-Owen.
1989: Began writing for The Daily Telegraph
In 1989, Boris Johnson began writing for The Daily Telegraph.
1989: Appointed to Brussels Bureau
In early 1989, Boris Johnson was appointed to The Daily Telegraph's Brussels bureau to report on the European Commission.
February 1990: Wife Allegra Broke Up With Him
In February 1990, Johnson's wife Allegra broke up with him.
1990: Phone Conversation Between Johnson and Guppy
In 1990, Johnson and Guppy had a phone conversation, the recording of which was later made public in June 1995.
April 1993: Divorced Allegra Mostyn-Owen
In April 1993, Boris Johnson and Allegra Mostyn-Owen's marriage ended.
May 1993: Married Marina Wheeler
In May 1993, Boris Johnson married Marina Wheeler.
1993: Divorce from Allegra Mostyn-Owen and Marriage to Marina Wheeler
In 1993, Boris Johnson's marriage to Allegra Mostyn-Owen ended in divorce or annulment. 12 days later he married Marina Wheeler. Five weeks later their first child was born.
1993: Outlined Desire to Run as Conservative
In 1993, Johnson outlined his desire to run as a Conservative in the 1994 European Parliament elections.
1994: Sought Candidacy
In 1994, Andrew Mitchell convinced Major not to veto Johnson's candidacy.
1994: Left Brussels Bureau
In 1994, Boris Johnson no longer worked for The Daily Telegraph's Brussels bureau.
June 1995: Recording of Conversation Public
In June 1995, a recording of a 1990 telephone conversation between Johnson and Darius Guppy was made public.
1997: Lost Election
In 1997, Johnson lost to Labour candidate Martyn Jones.
July 1999: Editor of The Spectator
In July 1999, Conrad Black offered Johnson the editorship of The Spectator, and Johnson accepted, abandoning his parliamentary aspirations. During his time as editor, the magazine's circulation increased, but he also received criticism for his absences and political predictions.
1999: Became editor of The Spectator
In 1999, Boris Johnson became the editor of The Spectator.
1999: Columnist for GQ
In 1999, Johnson started writing a column reviewing new cars in GQ, an American men's magazine. His parking fines while testing cars caused issues for staff.
1999: Allegation of Inappropriate Behavior
In 1999, journalist Charlotte Edwardes alleged that Johnson squeezed her thigh at a private lunch at The Spectator. A spokesman denied the allegation.
2000: Affair with Petronella Wyatt
Beginning in 2000, Johnson had an affair with Spectator columnist Petronella Wyatt, resulting in two abortions.
2001: Spoke out against plans to repeal Section 28
In 2001 Johnson spoke out against plans to repeal Section 28, saying it was "Labour's appalling agenda, encouraging the teaching of homosexuality in schools".
2001: Joined Shadow Cabinet
In 2001, Boris Johnson became a member of the Shadow Cabinet of Michael Howard.
2001: Became MP for Henley
In 2001, Boris Johnson became the Member of Parliament for Henley.
2001: Published "Friends, Voters, Countrymen: Jottings on the Stump"
In 2001, Johnson published his book, Friends, Voters, Countrymen: Jottings on the Stump, recounting that year's election campaign.
April 2003: Visit to Baghdad
In April 2003, Johnson visited occupied Baghdad after supporting the government's plans to join the United States in the invasion of Iraq.
November 2003: Michael Howard becomes leader of the Conservative Party
In November 2003, Michael Howard succeeded Iain Duncan Smith as leader of the Conservative party.
2003: Published "Lend Me Your Ears"
In 2003, Johnson published 'Lend Me Your Ears,' a collection of previously published columns and articles.
2003: BAFTA Nomination
In 2003, Johnson's appearance on Have I Got News for You led to a nomination for the BAFTA Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance.
May 2004: Appointed Shadow Arts Minister
In May 2004, Michael Howard appointed Johnson as Shadow Arts Minister.
November 2004: Dismissed as vice-chairman and shadow arts minister
In November 2004, Johnson was dismissed as vice-chairman and shadow arts minister after initially denying allegations of an affair with Petronella Wyatt. The allegations were later proven true.
2004: Affair with Petronella Wyatt Ends
In 2004, Boris Johnson's affair with Spectator columnist Petronella Wyatt ended, the affair resulting in a terminated pregnancy and a miscarriage.
2004: Published First Novel
In 2004, HarperCollins published Johnson's first novel: Seventy-Two Virgins: A Comedy of Errors. It revolved around the life of a Conservative MP and contained autobiographical elements.
2004: Editorial on Liverpudlians
In 2004, Johnson published an editorial in The Spectator suggesting that Liverpudlians were wallowing in victim status and "hooked on grief" over the Hillsborough disaster.
2005: Left The Spectator
In 2005, Boris Johnson was no longer the editor of The Spectator.
2005: Dismissed as Editor of The Spectator
In 2005, Johnson was dismissed as editor of The Spectator.
2005: Re-elected as MP for Henley
In 2005, Johnson was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Henley.
2005: Criticism for views on Islam
In 2005, Johnson's book, The Dream of Rome, was criticized for arguing that Islam has caused the Muslim world to be centuries behind the West.
2005: Successful bid for London Olympics
In 2005, under Livingstone's leadership, London made a successful bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics, marking a significant achievement for the city.
January 2006: Broadcast of The Dream of Rome
In January 2006, Johnson's popular history television show, The Dream of Rome, was broadcast. A book followed in February.
April 2006: Alleged Affair with Anna Fazackerley
In April 2006, the News of the World alleged that Boris Johnson was having an affair with Guardian journalist Anna Fazackerley.
September 2006: Controversy over Papua New Guinea comment
In September 2006, the High Commission of Papua New Guinea protested after Johnson compared the Conservatives' frequently changing leadership to cannibalism in the country.
December 2006: Called Iraq Invasion "a colossal mistake and misadventure"
In December 2006, Johnson described the invasion of Iraq as "a colossal mistake and misadventure".
2006: Campaign for Rector of the University of Edinburgh
In 2006, Johnson campaigned to become the Rector of the University of Edinburgh, but he came third due to his support for top-up fees.
2007: Third-highest-earning MP
In 2007, Johnson earned £540,000, making him the third-highest-earning MP that year.
2007: Johnson admits to smoking cannabis
In 2007, Johnson said he had smoked cannabis before he went to university.
2007: Financial Crisis of 2007-08
Johnson championed London's financial sector and denounced what he saw as "banker bashing" following the financial crisis of 2007-08.
May 2008: Forensic Audit Panel Formation
On 8 May 2008, the formation of the Forensic Audit Panel was announced to monitor financial management. Johnson's announcement was criticized for politicization of this nominally independent panel.
July 2008: Abandonment of Tube Ticket Office Closure Plan
On 2 July 2008, the Mayor's office announced the closure plan for Tube ticket offices was to be abandoned.
October 2008: Resignation of Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ian Blair
In October 2008, Johnson successfully pushed for the resignation of Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ian Blair.
2008: Elected Mayor of London
In 2008, Boris Johnson became the Mayor of London.
2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama
In 2008, Johnson broke from protocol by publicly endorsing Barack Obama for the United States presidential election.
2008: Rachel Johnson Joins Conservatives
In 2008, Rachel Johnson became a member of the Conservatives.
March 2009: Pound Sterling Low
In February 2016, Johnson endorsed Vote Leave for the 2016 EU membership referendum, this announcement led to a nearly 2% slump in the pound sterling against the US dollar, reaching its lowest level since March 2009.
2009: Fathered a Daughter with Helen Macintyre
In 2009, Boris Johnson fathered a daughter with Helen Macintyre, an arts consultant.
January 2010: Resigned as Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority
In January 2010, Johnson resigned as chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority.
2010: Mayor's Fund Earnings
By 2010, the Mayor's Fund, established to aid disadvantaged youths, had only earned £1.5 million out of an initially announced £100 million.
2010: Conservatives Distanced Themselves
In 2010, many in the Conservative Party distanced themselves from Johnson's administration, fearing it would be damaging for the general election.
2011: Condemnation of Occupy London Movement
In 2011, Johnson condemned the anti-capitalist Occupy London movement that appeared in the city.
2011: Criticism for response to London Riots
In 2011, Johnson was criticized for his response to the London riots.
2011: Rachel Johnson Leaves Conservatives
In 2011, Rachel Johnson left the Conservatives.
2012: Re-elected as Mayor of London
In 2012, Boris Johnson was re-elected as Mayor of London.
2012: Affair with Jennifer Arcuri Began
In 2012, Jennifer Arcuri said that she began an affair with Boris Johnson.
2012: London Olympic Games
In 2012, Johnson retained projects such as the London Olympic Games, but was accused of trying to take credit for them.
2012: Tony Travers describes Johnson as a 'fairly classic' Conservative
In 2012, the political scientist Tony Travers described Johnson as "a fairly classic—that is, small-state—mildly eurosceptic Conservative" who also embraced "modern social liberalism".
November 2013: London Underground Changes
In November 2013, Johnson announced major changes to the London Underground, including extended operating hours and replacing all staffed ticket offices with automated ticketing systems.
November 2013: TfL Announces Closure of all Tube Ticket Offices
On 21 November 2013, Transport for London announced that all London Underground ticket offices would close by 2015.
August 2014: Seeking Selection for Parliament
In August 2014, after media speculation, Johnson sought selection as the Conservative candidate for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in anticipation of the 2015 general election.
2015: Closure of all London Underground Ticket Offices
By 2015, all London Underground ticket offices were closed.
2015: Elected MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip
In 2015, Boris Johnson was elected MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
2015: Johnson pays capital gains tax to US authorities
In 2015, Johnson agreed to pay capital gains tax to the US tax authorities on a property that he inherited in the UK.
2015: Criticism of Donald Trump
In 2015, Johnson criticized Donald Trump's comments about no-go zones in London, calling Trump unfit for the U.S. presidency, becoming the first senior UK politician to do so.
2015: Election to Parliament
In 2015, Johnson was elected to Parliament, fueling speculation that he aimed to replace Cameron as Conservative leader and Prime Minister.
February 2016: Endorsement of Vote Leave
In February 2016, Johnson endorsed Vote Leave for the 2016 EU membership referendum. This announcement led to a nearly 2% slump in the pound sterling against the US dollar, reaching its lowest level since March 2009.
April 2016: Obama Comments Controversy
In April 2016, Johnson suggested that President Barack Obama's "part-Kenyan" background may have shaped his views on Britain remaining in the European Union, sparking widespread condemnation for racist undertones.
May 2016: Stepping Down as Mayor
In May 2016, Johnson stepped down as Mayor of London following the election. A YouGov poll at the end of his term showed that 52% of Londoners thought he did a "good job".
June 2016: "Britain's Independence Day" Declaration
On 22 June 2016, Johnson declared that 23 June could be "Britain's independence day" in a televised debate, advocating for leaving the European Union.
July 2016: Appointment as Foreign Secretary
In July 2016, Theresa May appointed Johnson as Foreign Secretary, a move analysts saw as a tactic to weaken him politically by marginalizing the role and keeping him out of the country.
September 2016: Accusations of Blocking UN Inquiry
In September 2016, human rights groups accused Johnson of blocking the UN inquiry into Saudi war crimes in Yemen.
September 2016: Visit to Turkey
Johnson's visit to Turkey in September 2016 was tense due to his previous win of an offensive poetry competition about President Erdoğan. He dismissed concerns, pledged to help Turkey join the EU, supported Erdoğan's government, and described the Gülen movement as a "cult".
December 2016: Comments on Saudi Arabia
In December 2016, Johnson attracted attention for commenting that the Saudis were akin to the Iranians in "puppeteering and playing proxy wars".
2016: Brexit Campaign and Foreign Secretary Appointment
In 2016, Boris Johnson was a prominent figure in the Brexit campaign and later appointed foreign secretary.
2016: Appointed Foreign Secretary
In 2016, Boris Johnson was appointed as Foreign Secretary.
2016: Affair with Jennifer Arcuri Ends
In 2016, Jennifer Arcuri said that her affair with Boris Johnson ended.
2016: Worries about Trump Presidency
In 2016, Johnson expressed genuine worry that Donald Trump could become president, saying that being mistaken for Trump in New York was "one of the worst moments" of his life.
2016: Leave Campaign
In January 2019, Johnson came under criticism for remarks he had made during the 2016 Leave campaign regarding the prospect of Turkish accession to the European Union; he denied making such remarks.
2016: Johnson mentions Brexit referendum
On 9 June 2023, after receiving a confidential report from a committee of the House of Commons that was looking into whether he had lied to Parliament over lockdown-breaking parties, Johnson announced his resignation as MP. His resignation statement said he is "not alone in thinking that there is a witch-hunt under way, to take revenge for Brexit and ultimately to reverse the 2016 referendum result".
April 2017: Gibraltar Sovereignty Statement
In April 2017, Johnson stated that Gibraltar's sovereignty was "not going to change" after Brexit.
September 2017: Visit to British Territories and Myanmar
In September 2017, Johnson visited Anguilla and Tortola to reaffirm the UK's commitment to restoring British territories after Hurricane Irma. He was also criticised for reciting lines from Rudyard Kipling's poem Mandalay in Myanmar.
September 2017: NHS Funding Claim
In a September 2017 op-ed, Johnson reiterated the UK would regain control of £350m a week after Brexit, suggesting it go to the National Health Service (NHS), drawing criticism from cabinet colleagues.
October 2017: Sirte Comments Controversy
In October 2017, Johnson faced criticism for stating the Libyan city of Sirte could become an economic success like Dubai if they "clear the dead bodies away".
November 2017: Zaghari-Ratcliffe Controversy
In November 2017, Johnson stated that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been "simply teaching people journalism", leading to criticism and subsequent clarification that his words didn't justify her sentence.
2017: Rachel Johnson Joins Liberal Democrats
In 2017, Rachel Johnson joined the Liberal Democrats.
February 2018: Northern Ireland Border Comments
In February 2018, Johnson suggested that Northern Ireland may have to accept border controls after Brexit and that it would not seriously affect trade, a change from his earlier stance.
March 2018: Skripal Poisoning Comments
Following the March 2018 poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, Johnson compared Vladimir Putin's hosting of the World Cup to Adolf Hitler's hosting of the 1936 Olympic Games.
April 2018: Visit to Lebedev's Party
In April 2018, Johnson attended a party at the Palazzo Terranova owned by Alexander Lebedev without security or documentation, leading to accusations of misleading parliament.
May 2018: Support for Iran Nuclear Deal
In May 2018, Johnson backed the Iran nuclear deal framework, despite Donald Trump's withdrawal from it.
June 2018: Dissatisfaction with May's Brexit Negotiations
In June 2018, secret recordings revealed Johnson's dissatisfaction with Theresa May's Brexit negotiation style, accusing her of being too collaborative with the EU and suggesting a more aggressive approach.
July 2018: Resignation as Foreign Secretary
In July 2018, Johnson resigned as Foreign Secretary, three days after the cabinet agreed on a Brexit strategy.
July 2018: Telegraph Contract and ACOBA Breach
In July 2018, Johnson signed a contract to write articles for the Telegraph Media Group, which ACOBA reported was a breach of the Ministerial Code. He was later ordered to apologize for failing to declare £50,000 of earnings.
September 2018: Separation from Marina Wheeler
In September 2018, Boris Johnson and Marina Wheeler issued a statement confirming they had separated months earlier.
September 2018: Criticism for Brexit Comments
In September 2018, Boris Johnson received heavy criticism from senior Tories, including Alan Duncan, for comparing the UK's position to wearing a "suicide vest" in Brexit negotiations.
2018: Resigned as Foreign Secretary
In 2018, Boris Johnson resigned as foreign secretary in protest at Theresa May's approach to Brexit.
2018: Left Foreign Secretary position
In 2018, Boris Johnson was no longer the Foreign Secretary.
January 2019: Denial of Turkey Remarks
In January 2019, Johnson denied making remarks during the 2016 Leave campaign regarding the prospect of Turkish accession to the European Union, despite supporting Vote Leave's statement at the time.
January 2019: Criticism over Turkish Accession Remarks
In January 2019, Johnson faced criticism for remarks he had made during the 2016 Leave campaign regarding the prospect of Turkish accession to the European Union; he denied making such remarks.
January 2019: Brexit claim published in The Daily Telegraph
On January 6, 2019, The Daily Telegraph published an article authored by Johnson, claiming that a no-deal Brexit was preferred by the British public. The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) later ruled that claim as inaccurate.
March 2019: "Spaffed up the wall" Criticism
In March 2019, Johnson was criticized for saying that expenditure on investigating historic allegations of child abuse was money "spaffed up the wall".
April 2019: IPSO Ruling Against Brexit Claim
In April 2019, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) ruled that a claim in a January 6, 2019 Daily Telegraph article authored by Johnson, stating that a no-deal Brexit was preferred by the British public, was inaccurate.
June 2019: Conservative Party Leadership Campaign Launch
In June 2019, Boris Johnson launched his campaign for the Conservative Party leadership, emphasizing the need to leave the EU by October 31. He also initially pledged to cut income tax for high earners but later retracted this plan after criticism.
July 2019: Purchase of Buy-to-Let Townhouse
In July 2019, Boris Johnson and his then-girlfriend Carrie Symonds purchased a £1.3 million buy-to-let townhouse in Camberwell, South London.
July 2019: Pro-China Stance
In July 2019, Johnson stated that his government would be very 'pro-China,' voiced support for the Belt and Road Initiative, and promised to keep the UK 'the most open economy in Europe' for Chinese investment.
July 2019: Appointment as Prime Minister
In July 2019, following his election as Conservative Party leader, Boris Johnson was appointed as Prime Minister by Queen Elizabeth II, making him the first PM born outside British territories. He also appointed Dominic Cummings as his senior advisor.
July 2019: Cabinet Appointment and Dismissals
In July 2019, upon becoming Prime Minister, Boris Johnson appointed his Cabinet, dismissing 11 senior ministers and accepting the resignation of six others in the most extensive postwar Cabinet reorganisation without a change in the ruling party.
July 2019: Complaint Investigation into Pincher at Foreign Office
In July 2019, while Chris Pincher was at the Foreign Office, an official complaint and subsequent investigation confirmed his misconduct. Johnson was allegedly made aware of this at the time.
August 2019: Request to Prorogue Parliament
In August 2019, Boris Johnson requested the Queen to prorogue Parliament from September 10, reducing the time available to block a no-deal Brexit, which sparked significant political controversy.
August 2019: Resumption of Brexit Negotiations
In August 2019, UK and EU negotiators agreed to resume regular meetings regarding Brexit after Johnson declared his intention to re-open negotiations, but the EU initially refused to accept Johnson's condition that the backstop be removed.
September 2019: Jo Johnson's Resignation
In September 2019, Boris Johnson's brother, Jo Johnson, resigned from his government.
September 2019: Resignations of Jo Johnson and Amber Rudd
In September 2019, Jo Johnson resigned from the government and announced he would step down as MP, and Amber Rudd resigned as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and from the Conservative Party.
September 2019: Conflict of Interest Allegations
In September 2019, it was reported that Johnson failed to declare a personal relationship with Jennifer Arcuri as a conflict of interest, after she and her company received government grants and trade mission opportunities. The matter was referred to the IOPC for potential investigation.
September 2019: Loss of Working Majority
In September 2019, on September 3, Phillip Lee defected to the Liberal Democrats, costing the government its working majority. Later that day, 21 Conservative MPs had the party whip withdrawn for defying party orders.
September 2019: Prorogation of Parliament and Legal Challenges
In September 2019, the prorogation of Parliament began on September 10, leading to widespread protests and legal challenges. On September 24, the Supreme Court ruled the prorogation unlawful.
September 2019: Parliament Resumes and Election Proposal
In September 2019, when Parliament resumed on September 3, Boris Johnson indicated a general election under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act after opposition MPs voted against the government to prevent a no-deal exit. On September 4, the Benn Act passed, leading Johnson to propose a general election on October 15, but his motion failed.
October 2019: Dissolution of Parliament and Election Call
In October 2019, Parliament was dissolved, and an election was called for December 12, leading to a Conservative Party victory with a parliamentary landslide majority of 80 seats, with the slogan "Get Brexit Done".
October 2019: Brexit Deadline
In October 2019, as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson reiterated the commitment to leave the European Union by October 31, with or without a deal, and aimed to remove the Irish backstop from the withdrawal agreement.
October 2019: Revised Brexit Deal Agreed
In October 2019, following talks between Johnson and Leo Varadkar, the UK and EU agreed to a revised Brexit deal, replacing the backstop with a new Northern Ireland Protocol.
November 2019: IOPC Report Delay
In November 2019, it was revealed that the IOPC would publish its report regarding Johnson's relationship with Jennifer Arcuri after the general election on December 12.
December 2019: Won Landslide Victory in General Election
In December 2019, Boris Johnson won a landslide victory in the general election.
2019: Engagement to Carrie Symonds
In 2019, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds became engaged.
2019: Became Prime Minister
In 2019, Boris Johnson became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party.
2019: Net Migration Promise
In 2019, Johnson promised to reduce net migration to the UK below 250,000 per year by the next election.
January 2020: Johnson's government enters trade negotiations with the EU
In January 2020, after formally withdrawing from the European Union, Johnson's government initiated trade negotiations with the EU.
February 2020: Cabinet Reshuffle
In February 2020, Boris Johnson reshuffled his cabinet, sacking five ministers and seeing Sajid Javid resign as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
February 2020: Complaint Investigation into Pincher at Foreign Office
In February 2020, while Chris Pincher was at the Foreign Office, an official complaint and subsequent investigation confirmed his misconduct. Johnson was allegedly made aware of this at the time.
March 2020: Dominic Cummings' Trip to Durham
In March 2020, Dominic Cummings made a trip with his family to Durham during the lockdown while experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, leading to widespread calls for his resignation and a loss of confidence in the government.
March 2020: Shaking Hands with COVID-19 Patients and Lockdown
In March 2020, Johnson claimed to have shaken hands with COVID-19 patients, despite SAGE advice against physical contact. On March 23, a COVID-19 lockdown was imposed throughout the UK.
April 2020: Birth of Son Wilfred
In April 2020, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds' son, Wilfred, was born.
May 2020: Dominic Cummings' Trip to Durham
In May 2020, a scandal erupted involving Johnson's advisor Dominic Cummings, who traveled to Durham during the March 2020 lockdown while experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, leading to widespread calls for his resignation and a loss of confidence in the government.
May 2020: IOPC Report Released
In May 2020, the IOPC issued its report, finding evidence that Johnson's close relationship with Jennifer Arcuri influenced decisions and that he should have declared an interest, potentially breaching the London Assembly's code of conduct.
May 2020: Downing Street Party During Lockdown
On May 20, 2020, during the first lockdown, a planned party took place at Downing Street, according to an ITV News report from January 2022. An email invited staff to "socially distanced drinks." Two eyewitnesses later alleged that Johnson and Symonds attended, contradicting Johnson's December 2021 statement that there were "no parties."
June 2020: Offer to Hong Kong Residents
In June 2020, Johnson announced that the UK would offer 350,000 Hong Kong residents with British National (Overseas) passports and 2.6 million other eligible individuals the chance to move to the UK if China continued pursuing the Hong Kong national security law.
June 2020: Potential breaches of COVID regulations investigated
In May 2023, Johnson was referred to the police by the Cabinet Office regarding previously unknown potential breaches of COVID regulations between June 2020 and May 2021, to which Johnson's office issued a statement criticising the "unfounded suggestions" which "has all the hallmarks of yet another politically motivated stitch-up".
October 2020: Criticism of Test and Trace System
In October 2020, Johnson conceded that the UK's test and trace system, including the contact tracing app, had caused "frustrations" due to their cost and operational issues.
October 2020: Second National Lockdown
In October 2020, Johnson reportedly resisted calls for a second lockdown. The government enacted a second national lockdown on October 31.
October 2020: Johnson warns UK to prepare for no trade deal with EU
On 16 October 2020, Johnson stated that the UK "must get ready" for the possibility of not reaching a trade deal with the EU.
November 2020: 10-Point Plan for a "Green Industrial Revolution" Announced
In November 2020, Johnson announced a 10-point plan for a 'green industrial revolution' to include ending the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, quadrupling offshore wind power capacity, and funding emissions-cutting proposals.
December 2020: Start of COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
In December 2020, Britain began its COVID-19 vaccination programme.
December 2020: EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached
In December 2020, it was announced that the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement had been successfully reached.
2020: Divorce from Marina Wheeler
In 2020, Boris Johnson and Marina Wheeler divorced.
2020: Son Wilfred's Catholic Baptism
In 2020, Boris Johnson's son Wilfred was baptised Catholic.
2020: Peerage Controversy
In 2020, Johnson granted a peerage to Evgeny Lebedev against MI6 advice, leading to criticism over potential security concerns.
2020: Johnson considered overweight
In 2020, Johnson was considered overweight, and has spoken of making efforts to lose weight.
2020: Downing Street Christmas Party Allegations
In December 2021, reports surfaced alleging that social gatherings occurred at Downing Street ahead of Christmas 2020, violating COVID-19 regulations. Boris Johnson initially denied these allegations, but later apologized for a leaked video showing staff joking about a "fictional party" and ordered an inquiry.
January 2021: Third Lockdown and High Death Toll
In January 2021, a third lockdown was introduced in England. The UK passed 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, with Johnson taking "full responsibility".
January 2021: Criticism of COVID-19 Response
By January 2021, the UK's high death toll from COVID-19 led to criticism of Johnson's early non-attendance of COBR briefings and the government's failure to prepare for and control the outbreak.
March 2021: Vaccination Milestone
By March 20, 2021, half of UK adults had received at least their first vaccine dose.
April 2021: Downing Street Refurbishment Controversy
In April 2021, Dominic Cummings alleged Boris Johnson arranged for donors to secretly fund the Downing Street flat renovation. On April 27, Johnson asked Simon Case to review the refurbishment, and on April 28, the Electoral Commission launched a formal investigation. Johnson denied breaking any laws, stating he personally paid for the refurbishment.
April 2021: Denial of 'Let the bodies pile high' Allegations
In April 2021, Johnson denied allegations that he had said he would rather "let the bodies pile high in their thousands" on October 30, 2020.
May 2021: State Opening of Parliament
At the State Opening of Parliament on May 11, 2021, the Johnson government announced a range of proposed laws, including bills on dissolving Parliament, freedom of speech in higher education, online safety, and animal welfare.
May 2021: Potential breaches of COVID regulations investigated
In May 2023, Johnson was referred to the police by the Cabinet Office regarding previously unknown potential breaches of COVID regulations between June 2020 and May 2021, to which Johnson's office issued a statement criticising the "unfounded suggestions" which "has all the hallmarks of yet another politically motivated stitch-up".
May 2021: Marriage to Carrie Symonds
On 29 May 2021, Boris Johnson married Carrie Symonds at Westminster Cathedral.
June 2021: Sajid Javid Returns to Cabinet
In June 2021, Sajid Javid returned to Johnson's Cabinet as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care following the resignation of Matt Hancock.
July 2021: Johnson expresses apprehension about Afghanistan and lack of military path to Taliban victory
In July 2021, Boris Johnson voiced his concerns about Afghanistan's future following the impending withdrawal of US troops. Announcing the near completion of British troop withdrawal, he stated there was "no military path to victory for the Taliban."
July 2021: Lifting of Public Health Restrictions
In July 2021, Johnson announced that most generalised public health restrictions in England would be lifted and replaced by recommendations, despite an increase in cases due to the Delta variant.
September 2021: Cabinet Reshuffle
In September 2021, Johnson reshuffled his cabinet again, dismissing Gavin Williamson and moving Dominic Raab, replacing him as foreign secretary with Liz Truss.
September 2021: Controversy over Maskless Cabinet Meeting
In September 2021, Johnson was pictured in a cabinet meeting without masks, contradicting government advice.
November 2021: Owen Paterson Suspension and Resignation
In November 2021, Boris Johnson supported a motion to block the suspension of Owen Paterson, who was found to have abused his position. Following backlash, a new vote was scheduled, and Paterson resigned. The subsequent by-election saw a significant Conservative majority overturned.
December 2021: "Plan B" Restrictions and Conservative Rebellion
In December 2021, "Plan B" restrictions were introduced in England due to the Omicron variant, facing the largest rebellion of Conservative MPs during Johnson's premiership.
December 2021: Birth of Daughter Romy
In December 2021, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds' daughter, Romy, was born.
December 2021: Denial of Downing Street Parties
In December 2021, Johnson insisted there were 'no parties' at Downing Street, a claim that was later contradicted by evidence of a party on May 20, 2020, during the first lockdown.
December 2021: Downing Street Christmas Party Allegations
In December 2021, reports surfaced alleging that social gatherings occurred at Downing Street in December 2020, violating COVID-19 regulations. Boris Johnson initially denied these allegations, but later apologized for a leaked video showing staff joking about a "fictional party" and ordered an inquiry.
2021: Hongkongers Immigration Scheme Launched
In 2021, Johnson's government launched a scheme for Hongkongers following the Hong Kong national security law, resulting in more than 200,000 Hong Kong residents immigrating to the UK.
2021: Increase in Net Migration
In 2021, net migration to the UK was 488,000, up from 184,000 in 2019, with most migrants coming from non-EU countries.
2021: Carbon Emission Reduction Plan Announced
In 2021, the Johnson government announced plans to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035.
2021: Comments on Christian Beliefs
In 2021, when asked if he held pre-Christian beliefs, Johnson denied it, calling Christianity a superb ethical system and considering himself a 'very, very bad Christian'.
January 2022: Downing Street Party Allegations
In January 2022, ITV News reported a party occurred on May 20, 2020, during the first lockdown, with Johnson and Symonds allegedly attending. This contradicted Johnson's December 2021 claim of "no parties".
January 2022: False Claim About Starmer and Jimmy Savile
In January 2022, Johnson falsely blamed Keir Starmer for the non-prosecution of Jimmy Savile during Starmer's tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions. Johnson later defended his comments but conceded Starmer had no personal involvement.
January 2022: Apology for Downing Street Garden Event
On January 12, 2022, Boris Johnson apologized to MPs for attending an event in the Downing Street garden during the first lockdown, claiming he believed it was a work event. He urged MPs to await the Sue Gray inquiry's outcome, but faced calls for his resignation.
February 2022: Johnson visits Kyiv amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine
In February 2022, Johnson's government cautioned Russia against invading Donbas and agreed to work towards a "peaceful resolution" with Putin. On February 1, 2022, Johnson visited Kyiv, describing the situation as "the biggest security crisis that Europe has faced for decades". On February 20, 2022, he warned that Russia was planning the "biggest war in Europe since 1945". On February 21, 2022, Johnson condemned Russia's recognition of self-proclaimed republics in Donbas.
February 2022: Johnson condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine and implements sanctions
On 24 February 2022, Johnson condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and implemented international sanctions on Russian banks and oligarchs. The UK also announced plans to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2022.
April 2022: Fixed Penalty Notice for Lockdown Breach
In April 2022, Boris Johnson received a fixed penalty notice for breaching COVID-19 lockdown regulations, becoming the first sitting British Prime Minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law.
April 2022: Issued Fixed Penalty Notice in Partygate Scandal
In April 2022, Boris Johnson was issued with a fixed penalty notice for breaching COVID-19 social distancing laws during the Partygate scandal.
April 2022: Expansion of Nuclear and Wind Energy
In April 2022, Johnson announced plans to build eight more nuclear reactors on existing sites and expand wind energy, aiming for up to 95% of the UK's electricity from low-carbon sources by 2030.
April 2022: Johnson visits Kyiv and is banned from Russia
In April 2022, Johnson traveled to Kyiv to meet with President Zelenskyy. Subsequently, on April 16, 2022, Russia's Ministry for Foreign Affairs banned Johnson and other senior British politicians from visiting Russia.
May 2022: Government Size Before Resignations
As of May 2022, the government comprised 122 ministers. By July 6, 2022, a total of 31 resignations had occurred due to the Pincher affair.
May 2022: Calls for Resignation after Local Elections
Following the May 2022 local elections, many leading Conservatives blamed Johnson for the party's poor performance and called for his resignation. On June 6, Graham Brady announced that a vote on Johnson's leadership would be held later that day.
May 2022: Johnson drafts changes to Northern Ireland Protocol
In May 2022, Johnson prepared a draft to unilaterally alter aspects of the Northern Ireland Protocol, citing concerns over medical supplies and VAT reductions. The EU rejected the idea of amending the treaty.
May 2022: Sue Gray Report Published
In May 2022, the Sue Gray report was published, contributing to dissatisfaction with Johnson's leadership.
June 2022: Calls for Resignation After By-Election Defeats
Following Conservative losses in the June 2022 by-elections, Michael Howard called for Johnson to resign, stating that Johnson no longer had the ability to win votes.
June 2022: Won Vote of Confidence
In June 2022, Boris Johnson won a vote of confidence in his leadership amongst Conservative MPs.
June 2022: Vote of Confidence in Leadership
In June 2022, Johnson faced a vote of confidence in his leadership after Conservative MPs submitted no-confidence letters. Johnson won the vote with 211 in favor and 148 against, a result seen as the 'beginning of the end' for his premiership.
June 2022: Dowden Resigns and Johnson Plans for Third Term
In June 2022, Oliver Dowden resigned as Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party. Johnson stated he had no intention of resigning and was planning for a third term, although Number 10 later said he was joking.
June 2022: Pincher Resigns as Deputy Chief Whip
On June 30, 2022, Chris Pincher resigned as Government Deputy Chief Whip, admitting he had "drunk far too much" and "embarrassed myself and other people" at the Carlton Club. He was later suspended as an MP following allegations of sexual assault.
July 2022: Resigned as Prime Minister
In July 2022, Boris Johnson announced his resignation as prime minister following revelations over the Chris Pincher scandal.
July 2022: Johnson warns against ceasefire in Ukraine
In July 2022, Johnson cautioned against ceasing fire and freezing the conflict in Ukraine.
July 2022: Allegations Against Chris Pincher Emerge
In July 2022, six new allegations against Chris Pincher surfaced, detailing behavior over a decade. This followed Pincher's resignation as Deputy Chief Whip on June 30, 2022, after he admitted to misconduct.
July 2022: Mass Resignations Following Pincher Affair
On July 5, 2022, Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resigned, followed by numerous other ministers and MPs over the next 24 hours. Many cited the Pincher affair as the reason for their loss of confidence in Johnson's leadership.
August 2022: Johnson blames Putin for global energy crisis
In August 2022, Johnson attributed the emerging global energy crisis to Vladimir Putin.
September 2022: Resignation and Farewell Speech
Following reports of his impending resignation, the pound strengthened. Johnson remained prime minister until September, when Liz Truss won the Conservative leadership election. In his farewell speech on September 6, 2022, Johnson referenced Cincinnatus.
October 2022: Johnson declines to stand in Conservative Party leadership election
In October 2022, after Liz Truss resigned, Johnson obtained the required nominations to contend in the leadership election but ultimately announced that he would not stand.
2022: Resigned as Prime Minister
In 2022, Boris Johnson resigned as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
2022: Rwanda Asylum Deal Introduced
In 2022, Johnson's government introduced an asylum deal to send people entering the UK illegally to Rwanda.
2022: Record High Net Migration
In 2022, long-term net migration to the UK reached a record high of 764,000, with immigration at 1.26 million and emigration at 493,000.
2022: Delay of UK border checks introduced
In 2022, the introduction of new UK border checks were delayed to minimise the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022: Publication of Prime Minister's Resignation Honours
In June 2023, the publication of Johnson's 2022 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours led to a public feud with Sunak. Johnson supporter Nadine Dorries announced that she was resigning as an MP due to not being included as a peer on the honours list.
March 2023: Privileges Committee Interim Report
In March 2023, an interim report from the Commons Select Committee of Privileges indicated that there was evidence that 'strongly suggests' breaches of coronavirus regulations would have been 'obvious' to Johnson and that he may have misled Parliament.
May 2023: Johnson referred to police for potential breaches of COVID regulations
In May 2023, the Cabinet Office referred Johnson to the police regarding potential breaches of COVID regulations, leading Johnson's office to criticize the "unfounded suggestions" as politically motivated.
June 2023: Resigned as MP after Investigation
In June 2023, Boris Johnson resigned as MP after receiving the draft of the Commons Privileges Committee investigation into his conduct.
June 2023: Trip Details Revealed
In June 2023, it was revealed that Lord Simon McDonald was unaware of Johnson's trip to Lebedev's party in April 2018, adding to the controversy.
June 2023: Resignation Honours list and MP resignation
In June 2023, the publication of Johnson's 2022 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours led to a public feud with Sunak. On 9 June 2023, Johnson announced his resignation as MP after receiving a confidential report about whether he had lied to Parliament over lockdown-breaking parties.
July 2023: Birth of Son Frank
In July 2023, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds' third child, a son named Frank, was born.
October 2023: Johnson joins GB News as commentator
In October 2023, Johnson announced he would join GB News as a commentator and programme maker for the next general election and US presidential election.
2023: Purchase of Brightwell Manor
In 2023, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds bought Brightwell Manor in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Oxfordshire.
2023: Johnson returns to road running
In 2023, Johnson returned to road running.
February 2024: Johnson meets with Nicolás Maduro
In February 2024, Johnson held a private meeting with the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.
March 2024: Johnson expected to campaign for Conservatives
In March 2024, The Times reported that Johnson is expected to campaign for the Conservatives in the next General Election.
May 2024: Johnson turned away from polling station
On 2 May 2024 Johnson was turned away from his polling station for the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, after forgetting to bring valid photographic identification, a requirement of the Elections Act, which Johnson introduced while in office. During the 2024 general election, Johnson campaigned for the Conservatives, who lost the election in a landslide to Labour.
October 2024: Release of Johnson's memoirs "Unleashed"
In October 2024, Johnson's memoirs "Unleashed" were released.
2030: Low-Carbon Electricity Target
In April 2022, Johnson announced plans to build eight more nuclear reactors on existing sites and expand wind energy, aiming for up to 95% of the UK's electricity from low-carbon sources by 2030.
2030: Ending Sale of Petrol and Diesel Cars
In November 2020 Johnson announced a 10-point plan for a "green industrial revolution", to include ending the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.
2030: Global Methane Pledge
Johnson announced that the UK would join the Global Methane Pledge to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030 at the COP26 summit, which the UK hosted.
2035: Carbon Emission Reduction Target
In 2021, the Johnson government announced plans to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035.
