London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Jul 12, 2026

Boris Johnson’s 2021 report card: The subjects the PM excelled or failed at

Boris Johnson’s 2021 report card: The subjects the PM excelled or failed at

The British PM, whose approval rating dropped to an all-time low this year, recently managed to unite even his own MPs against him. But the biggest challenge to his position as ‘head boy’ are his failures on health and safety.
Dear voters,

The following is a compilation of Boris Johnson’s grades for 2021, which are broken down into relevant subjects, followed by my comments. The predicted and actual grades are also included.

Management Studies


Expected Grade: D
Actual Grade: F


We have always known that Boris is a great showman and campaigner but a poor manager. The worst example of Boris’ failure to manage came in November, when Tory MP Owen Paterson was caught up in a lobbying scandal. In some ways, it is to Boris’ credit that he stood by his friend, but in doing so, he opened a can of worms and damaged his own reputation in the process.

His defence of Paterson caused a media frenzy, and the Conservatives’ jobs outside Parliament were thrust into the spotlight. Boris therefore managed to unite the majority of his own MPs against him, and his failure to control the situation led to the return of allegations of “Tory sleaze”.

Boris’ lack of management skills has also led to his class clown act wearing thin with the public. His chaotic persona is no longer seen as “Boris being Boris”, but rather that of a bumbling buffoon who is not fit to be prime minister. And for this, he scores the lowest grade: an F.

Health and Safety


Expected Grade: B
Actual Grade: F


Last year, Boris could do no wrong when it came to health and keeping the public safe. He had survived Covid himself, and the vaccine rollout was by far the best in Europe. However, this year, all goodwill towards Boris has dissipated, as he has been caught out being either a poor manager who doesn’t know what’s going on under his own roof, or a downright liar.

Last Christmas, while people were not even able to see their dying relatives, Boris’ team reportedly partied in 10 Downing Street, and then were told to leave by the back door. What is worse, Boris initially attempted to cover for his underlings, but the evidence that the party took place seems to be overwhelming.

As a result, Boris’ popularity plummeted, and he ended up losing a by-election in a constituency that had been in the possession of his party for 190 years. He is also now trailing in the polls to the uninspired Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Moreover, his own friends are turning against him, and the week before Christmas, 99 Tory MPs rebelled against his plans for Covid passports.

Boris’ failures regarding health and safety are by far the biggest threat to his position as head boy.

Migration Studies


Expected Grade: D
Actual Grade: F


Boris has never been comfortable with this subject, and has shown both weakness and a lack of understanding in the past. In 2021, however, his performance has been little short of catastrophic.

Around 25,000 illegal immigrants have made it across the English Channel this year, and none has so far been deported. In November, the inevitable occurred and 27 migrants died when their boat capsized in choppy waters.

The failure to get a grip on the situation must rest with Boris, because, as the saying goes, “the fish rots from the head down.” Boris has not even bothered to travel the 60 miles from London to the South Coast to see this unfolding tragedy for himself.

With regards to Migration Studies, Boris is either sleeping on the job or wants to pretend the mess in the Channel is not happening. We can only hope that he improves next year in this subject, because it would be almost impossible for him to perform any worse.

International Relations


Expected Grade: B
Actual Grade: D

A mixed bag this year for Boris. On a positive note, under his leadership, the UK has signed a number of post-Brexit free trade deals, including agreements with New Zealand, Japan and now Australia. But that’s pretty much where the positives end.

Relations with the European Union are at an all-time low, with the promised free trade deal further away than ever. Indeed, it seems as though Boris’ Brexit chickens have begun to come home to roost, especially regarding Northern Ireland. What’s more, last week, his hardline Brexit minister, Lord David Frost, quit his role, leaving the UK’s negotiating position significantly weakened.

Boris also seems to have been in constant conflict with the French this year. Whether it is about Brexit, fishing or illegal immigration, there seems to be no end to the war of words between him and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

Boris also has a rocky relationship with Joe Biden. Biden clearly doesn’t like Britain, Brexit or Boris. Not only does the US president always back the EU against Boris, but he also failed to inform Boris of his nonsensical decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.

It’s been an up-and-down year for Boris on the international scene, and, next year, he therefore has many bridges to rebuild.

Sex Education


Expected Grade: A
Actual Grade: B


Boris has excelled in this subject this year. He’s not known as ‘Bonking Boris’ for nothing. He now has seven children – two in the past few years with his third wife, Carrie Symonds – which is pretty impressive for a chap of 57!

But Boris’ former indiscretions have been catching up with him. American businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri claims she had an affair with Boris when he was London mayor, and that, in return, he promised to promote her business interests. This could result in an embarrassing criminal inquiry next year.

On the whole, however, Boris has done well in Sex Education classes, regardless of his past activities, and has certainly been keeping up the British end.

Principal’s comments


All Boris’ early promise in the year has disappeared. In many people’s eyes, he is lazy and seems incapable of telling the truth. He is also clearly easily led, especially by the opposite sex, and does not seem to have any real opinions of his own.

Next year, Boris must show drastic improvement, or we will have to consider removing him from his position as head boy. This is a much coveted role, and many others would like it. If Boris doesn’t up his game, then he may well be removed by his peers, because they, like we, are fast coming to the conclusion that someone else could do a better job.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Medical Chiefs Update Health Guidance to Promote Everyday Physical Activity
Office of Communications Keeps Wikipedia Under Review Under UK Online Safety Rules
UK Defence Ministry Expands Deep-Strike Capability Through Precision Missile Programme
Russell Group Universities Warn Funding Cuts Could Damage NHS Workforce Training
UK Parliament Calls for National Emergency Broadcast as Heatwave Conditions Intensify
UK and Netherlands Strengthen Naval Cooperation With New Amphibious Defence Partnership
UK Defence Ministry Joins International Missile Programme With One Hundred and Ninety Million Pound Investment
Bank of England Warns Middle East Conflict and AI Risks Could Pressure UK Economy
UK Government Introduces New Rules to Limit Foreign Influence in Political Donations
UK and France Prepare Naval Mission to Protect Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
United States Pressures UK to Increase Defence Spending at NATO Summit
Bank of England Warns Artificial Intelligence Investment Boom Could Create Financial Stability Risks
Bank of England Begins Direct Oversight of Critical Technology Providers Supporting UK Finance
Andy Burnham Set to Become UK Prime Minister After Labour Leadership Race Clears Path to Downing Street
Scottish Fishing Industry Calls for Emergency Support Amid Rising Costs
UK Supports Stronger European Response to Russian Actions in Ukraine
Devon and Cornwall Police Release Suspect in Ann Widdecombe Murder Investigation
Scottish MPs Demand More Government Support for Fishing Industry
UK Aviation Sector Faces New Rules as Parliament Reviews Passenger Protection Reforms
King’s College London Disciplines Students Over Pro-Palestine Campus Protests
Ministry of Defence Expands Military Capabilities Through New Precision Strike Investment
United Kingdom Condemns Russian Treatment of Ukrainian Children at International Security Forum
House of Lords Reviews Civil Aviation Bill to Strengthen Passenger Rights and UK Aviation Competitiveness
UK Aerospace and Defence Industries Contribute Nearly Forty-Seven Billion Pounds to Economy
UK Government Advances Consultation on Possible Social Media Ban for Children Under Sixteen
United Kingdom Ratifies Global High Seas Treaty to Protect Marine Biodiversity
United Kingdom Joins United States Precision Strike Missile Programme With One Hundred Ninety Million Pound Investment
UK Senior NHS Doctors Vote for Further Strike Action Over Pay and Contract Disputes
BBC Leadership Resigns After Donald Trump Launches Ten Billion Dollar Defamation Lawsuit
UK Fiscal Watchdog Warns Andy Burnham Government Faces One Hundred Billion Pound Budget Challenge
The AI Invoice Shock: Layoffs Didn't Save Managers Money — They Cost Them More
Concern: Sexually Transmitted Bacterium Among Men Develops Antibiotic Resistance
Following Massive Investor Demand: SK Hynix Raises 26.5 Billion Dollars on Nasdaq
Passenger Partially Pulled Out of Ryanair Jet After Cabin Window Fails Mid-Flight
After Four Years, and Under a Heavy Veil of Secrecy: King Charles Meets His Grandchildren, Harry and Meghan's Children
Cross-Party MPs Call for National Climate Emergency Broadcast
Bayeux Tapestry Arrives in the United Kingdom for Landmark Exhibition
United Kingdom Launches Modern Slavery Prevention Programme in Vietnam
Police Warn Against Misinformation Following Disorder in Glasgow
Pension Reform Takes Effect to Consolidate Workplace Savings Industry
Treasury and Bank of England Monitor Economy as Energy Price Pressures Ease
Government Orders Treasury Reform of Disciplinary Procedures Following Civil Servant's Death
Ofcom to Require Major Technology Platforms to Block Scam Advertisements
Labour Apologizes Over Gaza Position in Bid to Rebuild Support
High Court Rules UK-France Asylum Agreement Protection Cuts Were Unlawful
Metropolitan Police Open Murder Investigation Into Death of Former MP Ann Widdecombe
University College London Report Proposes Replacing Council Tax and Stamp Duty With National Property Tax
Treasury Places Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Oracle Under New UK Financial System Oversight Rules
Severe Heatwave Drives Dangerous Ground-Level Ozone Pollution Across Two Thirds of European Union
Westminster in Freefall as Farage's By-Election Gamble Triggers Broader Systemic Crises
×