Britain | Breaking bad

Boris Johnson’s career of rule-breaking runs into crisis

From smashing the political status quo to partying during lockdown

HOLLOW-EYED AND with his shoulders hunched, Boris Johnson offered the sort of apology he has made to many people, many times. In May 2020, with Britain in strict lockdown, Downing Street officials had held a drinks party in the prime minister’s walled garden. He attended for 25 minutes, he admitted to the House of Commons on January 12th. And he understood the “rage” Britons felt at that, after enduring private miseries that spring.

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Breaking bad”

Beware the bossy state

From the January 15th 2022 edition

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