How Boris Johnson can forge a lucrative career after Number 10

The outgoing UK PM lacks the qualities that have allowed Tony Blair and Theresa May to cash in - so his best bet for bunce lies in light entertainment

Boris Johnson speaks at the CBI annual conference on November 22, 2021. AFP

Earlier this year, a rumour swept the City, London's financial centre, that someone was looking for a £2 million loan for Boris Johnson, to be secured against future earnings.

No name was attached to the person seeking the advance on the prime minister’s behalf. Like much concerning Johnson and his private life, it was impossible to verify, would almost certainly be denied, but nevertheless had the ring of truth.

This was well before he resigned. Perhaps he knew there was not long to go; perhaps he required some ready cash anyway to maintain his lifestyle. Reports had been circulating that Johnson and his wife cavilled at the financial restrictions imposed upon them, that everything at their now-infamous parties had to be settled up by the family and marked paid by the housekeepers.

Who knows. But the reality is that very shortly, Johnson will require that sort of sum and possibly more if he wants to buy somewhere to live, presumably in central London, and wishes to educate his two young children with Carrie privately, the same route followed by their mother and father. There is the question, too, of his other children and the divorce settlement with his former wife Marina. How much he was obliged to pay her, and whether any of it is ongoing, has never been made public.

In the pantheon of recent UK premiers, Johnson may be tempted to look at Tony Blair as a measure of what is achievable. But Blair led the country for much longer; he fought and won three consecutive elections; and he was regarded on the global stage as a true international statesman, a heavyweight whose views were highly sought after.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his final Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London. AFP

He was also determinedly centrist, appealing across political, social and geographic divides. He was possessed, too, of a firm ideology ― something that has never defined Johnson. There is Blairism but there is no Johnsonism. Serious organisations were prepared to pay serious money to hear Blair speak. Even now, long after he left office, Blair is still in high demand.

Johnson is not going to be invited to give the keynote address at conferences assembled and paid for by big business, which is where the major cash resides. Davos and the Sun Valley chief executives’ summit are not going to rush to book him, not as a major scene-setter.

Hasta la vista, baby

Boris Johnson's last Prime Minister's Questions

Corporates remember all too well the profanity he issued in their direction. Nor will they forget the disregard he showed for business with his shambolic “Peppa Pig” speech to the CBI. There is nothing that Johnson can say that they will wish to hear.

He can take more reasonable comfort in the earnings enjoyed by his predecessor Theresa May. Not by any stretch a natural communicator, she has nevertheless been able to pick up substantial fees on the lecture circuit. Johnson may struggle, though, to match even her. May is a woman, and she does her homework. Send her a brief and May will follow it; send Johnson a brief and it is likely to remain unopened.

When Johnson was in City Hall, I witnessed him deliver the same, bravura speech three or four times in 12 months. It was the one about how he could claim to be the fourth biggest mayor in France, such were the numbers of French people who had relocated to London. He also trotted out boasts about the capital being the destination of choice for oligarchs, Arabs and Chinese.

That’s all it was, boosterism splurged out at a rate of knots. There was no depth to his words, and he made little attempt to temper what he was saying for his audience.

Boris Johnson has had an eventful time during his life in politics and journalism. Here, 'The National' looks back at his life in pictures. Getty Images

Mr Johnson attends the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in May. Getty Images

Mr Johnson leaves his home to attend a televised evidence session in March in front of the Commons Privileges Committee. Getty Images

Mr Johnson listening to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy address parliamentarians in Westminster Hall in February. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and Carrie Johnson arrive at Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. Getty Images

Mr Johnson he announces his resignation as prime minister outside 10 Downing Street in July 2022. Getty Images

Mr Johnson at a press conference in response to the publication of the Sue Gray report into Partygate at Downing Street in May 2022. Getty Images

Mr Johnson reads the long-awaited report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the Downing Street party scandal, in his Downing Street office in May 2022. Photo: Downing Street

Mr Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in central Kyiv in April 2022. The British prime minister paid an unannounced visit to Kyiv in a show of solidarity with Ukraine. AFP

Mr Johnson watches an early morning police raid on a home in Liverpool as part of an operation to thwart drug dealing, in December, 2021. Getty Images

The prime minister battles with his umbrella while with Prince Charles at The National Memorial Arboretum in July 2021, in Stafford, England. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and his wife before the Uefa European Championship final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium, London, in July last year. Getty Images

The British prime minister with US President Joe Biden, European Council President Charles Michel, former Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi during the G7 Summit in Cornwall, in June 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson with his wife Carrie in the garden of 10 Downing Street after their wedding at Westminster Cathedral, in May last year. Getty Images

Boris Johnson visits Hartlepool after Conservative Party candidate Jill Mortimer won a parliamentary by-election in May, 2021. Getty Images

The prime minister after receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at St Thomas' Hospital in London in March, 2021. Getty Images

Boris Johnson after signing a Brexit trade deal with the EU in December 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson examines a vial of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 candidate vaccine, at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Wrexham, Wales, in November 2020. Getty

Mr Johnson demonstrating the two-metre distancing rule during his visit to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Upminster, East London, in August 2020. PA

In this photo, published alongside the Sue Gray report into the Partygate affair, Mr Johnson is seen at a gathering in the Cabinet Room in 10 Downing Street on his birthday in June, 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and former chancellor Rishi Sunak use hand sanitiser during a visit to the Pizza Pilgrims restaurant in June 2020, in east London, to see how they are getting their business ready to reopen as coronavirus lockdown restrictions were lifted in England. PA

Mr Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds applaud key workers outside 10 Downing Street in May 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images

Mr Johnson in the Cabinet Room observing a minute's silence in April 2020 in a tribute to the health staff and key workers who died during the coronavirus outbreak. PA

Boris Johnson appears on monitors for a meeting in March 2020. The prime minister chaired morning meetings on the coronavirus remotely from Number 11 Downing Street, while self-isolating after testing positive for the virus. Reuters

Members of a family listen as BMr ris Johnson makes a televised address to the nation from 10 Downing Street in March 2020, where he outlined the latest instructions to stay at home to help contain the Covid-19 outbreak. AFP

Mr Johnson speaks to British troops stationed in Estonia during a one-day visit to the Baltic country in December 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and Carrie Symonds enter Downing Street as the Conservatives celebrate a sweeping election victory in December 2019. Getty

Boris Johnson is greeted by staff at 10 Downing Street after meeting Queen Elizabeth II and accepting her invitation to form a new government in December 2012. PA

Former US president Donald Trump and Mr Johnson arrive for a bilateral meeting during the G7 summit in August 2019 in Biarritz, France. Getty

The queen welcomes Mr Johnson as the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, during an audience in July 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson, then Britain's foreign secretary, stands in front of St Basil's Cathedral during a visit to Moscow's Red Square in December 2017. Getty

Mr Johnson collides with a child during a Street Rugby tournament in Tokyo in 2015, held to mark Japan hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup

As mayor of London Mr Johnson competes in a tug-of-war in October 2015. Getty Images

The Olympic Flag is passed from Mr Johnson to IOC President Jacques Rogge during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Getty Images

Mayor of London Boris Johnson with Prime Minister David Cameron during the lighting of the Paralympic Cauldron in Trafalgar Square, in August 2012. PA

Boris Johnson gets stuck on a zip-line during a BT London Live event in Victoria Park in August 2012. Getty

Mr Johnson and Lord Sebastian Coe cheer as a giant set of Olympic rings is displayed from Tower Bridge in June 2012, Getty Images

Mr Johnson gestures attends a Harry Potter studio tour of Diagon Alley, at the Warner Brother Studios, London, in December 2011. AP Photo

Mr Johnson at the launch of London's first cycle hire scheme in July 2010. Getty Images

Mr Johnson with artists' impressions of the design for London's new Routemaster bus in May 2010. Getty Images

The candidates to be mayor of London; Labour's Ken Livingstone, Conservative Boris Johnson and Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick, being questioned on BBC's 'Newsnight' programme in April 2008. Getty Images

Boris Johnson on the North Pier in Blackpool during the Conservative Party conference there in October 2005. Getty Images

Mr Johnson at his desk in 2000 while he was a journalist for 'The Telegraph'. Getty Images

Mr Johnson when he was president of the Oxford Union society speaking to the Greek minister for culture Melina Mercouri when she addressed the union. Reuters

Boris Johnson in September 1979, at Eton School. Shutterstock

One was for a children’s reading charity. Some of us were wondering what on Earth any of this had to do with helping disadvantaged children learn to read and obtain access to books when, at the end, he suddenly referred to how vital it was that children learnt to read, that reading was tremendously important. Then he wrapped up. He offered no insight whatsoever as to how their literacy could be improved.

Nevertheless, people applauded. It was a knockabout turn and yes, in a way, refreshing compared with many of the dull speeches they were forced to endure. Good old Boris, always amusing.

That’s where his best prospects of making money lie, as a comedian and a writer. At a recent meeting in Downing Street with the head of one of the world’s largest industrial companies, Johnson was on his usual, knockabout, breezy form. That would be fine, except that his guest, a foreigner, was a cerebral businessman, a thinker as well as a doer.

The subject of the aviation sector came up. The multinational chieftain said the market had changed, that demand for wide-bodied aircraft had slipped. Johnson fixed him with a stare and said that was a pity, since “I like a wide-body”.

His visitor was nonplussed, in all his years meeting world leaders he’d never encountered anyone like Johnson, except for Donald Trump, maybe. For three years, the truth is, the UK has had a comedian in No 10. Perhaps that is why Johnson relates to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy so well, because Zelenskyy was a professional comic. But it’s hard to imagine Johnson maintaining the prolonged level of intensity and selfless courage that the embattled Ukrainian leader has displayed.

Boris Johnson became UK prime minister in July 2019, left, and resigned three years later in July 2022, right. Here 'The National' looks back at his colourful time as leader of the country. Getty Images / Reuters

Boris Johnson reads a statement outside 10 Downing Street, formally resigning as Conservative Party leader. PA

Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson attend the National Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth at St Paul's Cathedral in June 2022. Getty Images

Boris Johnson addresses the media after surviving a confidence vote in his leadership, in June 2022. PA

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, announcing that Mr Johnson had survived a confidence vote in his leadership at the Houses of Parliament in June. PA

Mr Johnson chats with residents in a Diamond Jubilee-themed room as he makes a constituency visit to Sweetcroft care home in Uxbridge, in May 2022. Getty Images

Boris Johnson reads the findings of the Sue Gray report into gatherings on government premises while Covid-19 restrictions were in place, in his office in No 10, Downing Street in May 2022. Photo: Downing Street

An image of a gathering in the Cabinet Room in No 10, Downing Street in June 2020 on the prime minister's birthday was released alongside the Sue Gray report. Photo: Cabinet Office

Boris Johnson with a Mark 3 shoulder launch missile system at Thales weapons manufacturer during a visit to Northern Ireland for talks, in May 2022 in Belfast. Getty Images

Mr Johnson having a turban placed on his head at Gujarat Bio Technology University, during his two-day trip to India in April. Getty Images

Mr Johnson after apologising to MPs for the 'partygate' fine he had received, in the House of Commons in April. AFP

Mr Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walking in central Kyiv, in April. AFP

Mr Johnson arrives for a media interview at the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi, in March 2022. Getty Images

Mr Johnson speaks with officers as he makes a constituency visit to Uxbridge police station in December 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson observes an early morning Merseyside Police raid on a home in Liverpool as part of 'Operation Toxic' to infiltrate county lines drug dealings in December 2021. Getty Images

Boris Johnson during a visit to Westport Care Home in Stepney Green, ahead of unveiling his long-awaited plan to fix the social care system, in September 2021. Getty Images

Prince Charles looks on as Boris Johnson attempts to open his umbrella at the National Memorial Arboretum in Stafford, in July 2021. Getty Images

President of the European Council Charles Michel, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Mr Johnson and Italian PM Mario Draghi pose for the leaders' official photo during the G7 summit in Cornwall, in June 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson poses with his wife Carrie in the garden of No 10, Downing Street following their wedding at Westminster Cathedral, in May 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson visits Hartlepool after the Conservative Party candidate Jill Mortimer won the Hartlepool by-election in May 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson receives his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, in March 2021. Getty Images

Mr Johnson smiles during a televised press conference at No 10, Downing Street in February 2021, as he announces a phased exit from the country's lockdown measures. Getty Images

Mr Johnson gives a thumbs-up gesture after signing the Brexit trade deal with the EU in No 10, Downing Street, in December 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meet for a dinner to try to reach a breakthrough on a post-Brexit trade deal, in December 2020 in Brussels. Getty Images

Mr Johnson with a vial of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 candidate vaccine, known as AZD1222, at Wockhardt's pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, in November 2020, in Wrexham, Wales. Getty Images

Mr Johnson drills during his visit to Exeter College in September 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson holds crabs caught on the Carvela at Stromness Harbour in July 2020, during a visit to Scotland. Getty Images

Mr Johnson holds a painting of a ladybird during a visit to The Discovery School in West Malling, in July 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson and his fiancée Carrie Symonds applaud for key workers outside No 10, Downing Street, in May 2020. Getty Images

Boris Johnson appears on monitors for a meeting in London. The prime minister chaired the morning update meeting remotely as he was self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19. Reuters

Boris Johnson makes a televised address to the nation from inside No 10, Downing Street, with the latest instructions to stay at home to help contain the Covid-19 pandemic, in March 2020. AFP

Mr Johnson attends the launch of the UK-hosted COP26 Summit at the Science Museum in London, in February 2020. Getty Images

Mr Johnson is greeted by staff at No 10, Downing Street, after meeting Queen Elizabeth II and accepting her invitation to form a new government in December 2019. PA

Mr Johnson and his partner Carrie enter Downing Street as the Conservatives celebrate a sweeping election victory in December 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson drives a digger with the words 'Get Brexit Done' inside the digger bucket through a fake wall emblazoned with the word 'GRIDLOCK', during a general election campaign event in December 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson eats pie on the campaign bus in Derby, on the final day of campaigning before the general election in December 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson takes a turn in goal during the warm up before a girls' football match between Hazel Grove United JFC and Poynton Juniors in December 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson poses with workers as he is given a tour of Wilton Engineering Services as part of an election campaign trail stop in November 2019, in Middlesbrough. Getty Images

Mr Johnson poses for a photo wearing boxing gloves during a stop on his general election campaign trail in Manchester, in November 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson eats a rock sweet which reads 'Back Boris' during a general election campaign trail stop in Blackpool, in November 2019. Getty Images

Mr Johnson leads a bull around a pen as he visits Darnford Farm near Aberdeen, Scotland, in September 2019. Getty Images

Former US president Donald Trump and Mr Johnson arrive for a bilateral meeting during the G7 summit in August 2019, in Biarritz, France. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth welcomes Mr Johnson as the newly elected leader of the Conservative party and invites him to become prime minister and form a new government, at Buckingham Palace in July 2019. Getty Images

Those of us who have witnessed Johnson at close quarters have always known that. As a journalist in the House of Commons and at Brussels he was known for winging it, not reading reports, ignoring the detail, coming up with lines that were improbable (sure enough on occasion they did not stand up to scrutiny, and at least once he made up quotes and attributed them to a named individual). But he was a dream of a writer, even if his prose was littered with hyperbole and obscure classical references and prone to flights of fantasy.

His memoirs could command a hefty advance, although unlike those of former occupants of No 10, they will be read for their novelty and amusement value rather than for their accuracy. He’s supposed to be writing a biography of Shakespeare.

Again, the work, entitled Shakespeare: The Riddle of Genius, is unlikely to be studied by scholars of the bard, but may supply a humorous romp of a read ― Johnson’s equivalent of Blackadder.

That’s his best bet. It’s what he’s brilliant at, why he is so fondly viewed. He can make folks laugh in a way that Sir Keir Starmer or, come to that, May, Blair and yes, Rishi Sunak, will never do. Put him back in the compere’s chair of Have I Got News For You and the audience numbers will soar. Likewise, book him for Strictly Come Dancing or I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here ― anything where he can act the buffoon, exploiting his talent to amuse.

He will rake in the money, alright ― but only if he plays the entertainer who became prime minister, and what a hoot that was.