One more day and a visit to Queen Elizabeth tomorrow. And then, when he resigns at Balmoral Castle, Boris Johnson can resume his old life, a life of writing. Finally he has time to write his book on William Shakespeare. The contract for The riddle of genius had already been drawn seven years ago, but his political adventures left him with no time to write it. In addition, British media estimates he can earn a quarter of a million a year from a weekly newspaper column and more than a million for his memoirs.
Between writing — and fathering — Johnson can also catch a ton per speech. It will provide him with more wealth than his civil servant salary as prime minister, which was nowhere near enough for his extravagant spending habits. Made a few months ago The Times announced that he wanted to build a tree house for his children for 1.5 tons in the gardens of Checkers, the country house of the Prime Minister. The money was supposed to come from a businessman friend, but the construction project ultimately fell through. He also has to save a lot for the education of his second batch of children.
The desired millions also have a political purpose. He has said to friends, House of Representatives Jonathan Marland claimed last week news night, that he needs some cash reserves due to a possible return to 10 Downing Street. With a view to a comeback, he wants to remain a member of the House of Commons. And that is exactly what the Labor opposition, supported by part of the Conservatives, wants to prevent. For that reason, there is now a parliamentary inquiry that could lead to him losing his seat.
Corona drinks
The case still revolves around whether he lied to the House of Commons about what he knew about the get-togethers organized in Downing Street during the lockdowns. He has decided to fight back and hired top lawyer Lord Pannick. He concluded last Friday that the Johnson investigation is rattling on all sides, legal advice that has cost the equivalent of 1.5 tons of taxpayers’ money. Liz Truss, candidate to succeed Johnson, has already said that if a motion is tabled to drop the investigation against the outgoing prime minister, she will vote for it.
Writing may be his talent, but political power is Johnson’s ultimate pursuit. He has this in common with his hero Winston Churchill, who once, when asked about the reason for leaving journalism for politics, said: ‘No statues are erected for journalists.’