Key Moments
Boris Johnson: "They Were Looking at Engineering the Virus” & “The Government Tried To Bribe Me!"
The Diary Of A CEOKey Moments
Boris Johnson discusses his childhood, political career, Brexit, the pandemic, and his book 'Unleashed'.
Key Insights
Johnson's early life was marked by sibling rivalry, parental divorce, and his mother's mental health struggles, which he believes fostered resilience.
He suggests the COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from a lab accident and criticizes the WHO's hesitant initial response.
Johnson defends his actions during the pandemic, arguing that lockdowns were necessary despite potential harm to children, and expresses personal regret over the 'Partygate' scandal.
He maintains that Brexit has provided the UK with crucial regulatory freedom, enabling faster vaccine rollout and economic recovery, despite acknowledging some bureaucratic challenges.
Johnson advocates for 'levelling up' opportunities across the UK, citing his experience as Mayor of London as proof of concept.
The former Prime Minister reflects on his distinct public persona, suggesting it's a natural extension of a childhood need to amuse and engage, rather than a purely calculated strategy.
FORMATIVE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
Boris Johnson describes his early years as characterized by significant sibling competition and rivalry, stemming from growing up with three siblings. He recounts his parents' divorce at 14 and his mother's hospitalization for OCD when he was ten, stating these experiences fostered a strong sense of group solidarity and resilience among the children. Despite these challenges, he emphasizes that both parents remained caring and invested in their children's lives, providing a stable, albeit dynamic, upbringing.
THE BREXIT DECISION AND ITS AFTERMATH
Johnson candidly discusses his internal conflict regarding the EU referendum, acknowledging the valid arguments for both remaining and leaving. He ultimately campaigned for Leave, believing national democratic independence was paramount, especially given the EU's trajectory towards a 'United States of Europe'. He defends the perceived lack of a detailed plan post-referendum by stating it was a democratic vote, not an election, and the government's role was to implement the result. He asserts that Brexit has granted the UK crucial regulatory freedom, which proved vital during the pandemic for a faster vaccine rollout, and claims the UK has since outgrown some EU economies.
NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC
Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson admits initial underestimation of the virus's severity, partly due to prior experiences with other outbreaks. He suggests a lab accident in Wuhan is the most probable origin of the virus. While defending the necessity of lockdowns and the government's overall response, he questions the long-term impact on children's life chances. He acknowledges the public's adherence to rules, likening it to a religious observance, and expresses a personal desire to have been more robust in protecting against 'Partygate' allegations by reinforcing adherence to rules.
THE CHALLENGES OF LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Johnson describes the intense pressure and mental toll of leading the country through crises like the pandemic, particularly the difficult decision to re-enter lockdown. He discusses the 'Partygate' scandal, expressing deep regret for mishandling the situation and issuing a blanket apology, which he believes made the government appear more culpable than it was regarding the alleged events. He emphasizes that many officials worked tirelessly under difficult conditions and regrets that the perception of rule-breaking overshadowed their efforts.
LEVELING UP AND OPPORTUNITY
A central theme in Johnson's discourse is the concept of 'levelling up' the UK. He argues that talent and ambition are evenly distributed across the population, but opportunity is not. Citing his own experience of attending Eton on a scholarship, he highlights the disparity in advantages. As Mayor of London, he implemented projects aimed at uplifting disadvantaged areas. He believes this focus on expanding opportunity is crucial for the nation's economic potential and should be a primary objective for any government.
MEDIA PERSONA AND POLITICAL STRATEGY
Johnson addresses his distinct public persona, often described as jovial or even a 'buffoon', which he attributes partly to family dynamics where amusing each other was encouraged. He suggests this persona, which emerged on shows like 'Have I Got News for You?', is less a calculated marketing strategy and more a natural inclination to make serious arguments more palatable. He believes this approach helps engage people with politics and complex issues, likening it to 'sugaring the pill' to make information more accessible.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Organizations
●Books
●People Referenced
Brexit Economic Impact Statistics
Data extracted from this episode
| Source | Statistic | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| YouGov | Brexit viewed as failure | 62% of British people |
| YouGov | Brexit viewed as success | 9% of British people |
| YouGov | Desire for second EU referendum within 10 years | 46% of British people |
| YouGov | Against second EU referendum | 36% of British people |
| UK's Real Gross Added Value (gva) | Less in UK economy in 2023 | £140 billion (compared to staying in single EU market) |
| UK's Real Gross Added Value (gva) | Wiped off UK economy by 2035 | £300 billion |
| Centre of European Reform (2023 Report) | UK GDP smaller by mid-2023 | 5.5% (equates to £40 billion annually) |
| Small Businesses Survey | Brexit made trade with EU harder | 33% (due to increased paperwork) |
| London School of Economics | Brexit added to food prices (2020-2023) | 6% |
Common Questions
Johnson's early life was marked by incessant sibling rivalry, which he believes played a part in his formation. This competitiveness intensified after his sister Rachel was born, creating a constant struggle for primacy and fostering a drive to win, often manifesting in academic work as a means to build self-esteem.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
The chair of the COVID-19 inquiry Johnson defers to for comment on the pandemic response.
Investigator commissioned by Johnson to conduct an inquiry into Partygate, whom Johnson now believes was not 'politically impartial' or 'obsessed with probity'.
Former UK Prime Minister who offered Boris Johnson a 'top five job' if he voted to remain in the EU, and who Boris expected to handle the post-Brexit plan.
Former Mayor of London whom Boris Johnson initially admired but felt became 'ragged' after eight years, prompting Johnson's own mayoral bid.
Deputy Mayor acknowledged by Johnson for efforts in tackling knife and gang crime in London.
Co-leader of the Leave campaign with Boris Johnson, and a relationship that experienced 'rupture' but later reconciliation by Johnson putting him back in cabinet.
Boris Johnson's mother, an artist, who suffered from OCD and was admitted to a psychiatric facility when Boris was 10. She passed away during the pandemic.
Discussed as the founder of Eton College, from whose legacy Boris Johnson received a scholarship.
Deputy Mayor acknowledged by Johnson for efforts in tackling knife and gang crime in London.
Police Commissioner who followed Paul Stephenson, acknowledged by Johnson for efforts in tackling knife and gang crime in London.
Police Commissioner acknowledged by Johnson for efforts in tackling knife and gang crime in London.
Former Health Secretary, whom Johnson believes did a 'very good job' handling the initial days of the pandemic, despite not knowing the virus's severity.
A 'very capable adviser' to Boris Johnson, whose non-relation to him is brought up by the host.
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