You’re probably rolling your eyes right now.
Because here we go again. Boris Johnson is back in the headlines. The media says he’s “the only one who can save the Tories.” Polls claim voters still love him. And suddenly, the same man who presided over record immigration, tax hikes, and Net Zero is being floated as the solution to the mess he helped create.
You’ve heard this story before. In 2019, he promised to take back control, cut taxes, and get serious about borders. But what happened? Taxes went up. Immigration broke every record. And your energy bills climbed while he pushed green policies faster than the infrastructure could handle. The slogans were strong, but the delivery? Not so much.
The “Boris Comeback” Spin
A recent poll claims Boris Johnson is the only Conservative figure who could outperform Nigel Farage’s party in a head-to-head. Under him, the Tories would jump five points, while their challengers would fall slightly. Cue the headlines. “Only Boris Can Save the Party.”
But here’s the thing. This poll doesn’t measure leadership. It measures name recognition and nostalgia. And it forgets one key detail: Johnson already had his chance and blew it. Voters haven’t forgotten that. He promised to take back control and instead delivered the opposite.
Taxes Went Up, Not Down
Johnson promised to be a low-tax Conservative. Instead, taxes hit a 70-year high under his government. National Insurance was raised by 1.25 percentage points, Corporation Tax was set to rise from 19% to 25%, and the overall tax burden on households surged.
Yes, the pandemic had an impact. But instead of cutting bloated government or targeting waste, the approach was to tax workers and businesses harder. For voters who believe in smaller government, enterprise, and personal responsibility, this was a betrayal. Plain and simple.
Net Zero = Higher Bills
Johnson pushed Net Zero 2050 aggressively. He wanted the UK to lead the world in green growth. But ordinary people paid the price.
While energy firms raked in profits, households saw soaring energy bills, threats to ban gas boilers and petrol cars and infrastructure that couldn’t keep up with green targets.
Net Zero wasn’t just about climate. It became a driving force behind rising living costs. And it was sold without any serious conversation about affordability or alternatives.
Immigration Reached Record Highs
Perhaps the clearest contradiction of all. Immigration hit record levels under Johnson’s leadership. Post-Brexit, the public was promised real control over the borders. But here’s what happened: Net migration in 2022 topped 600,000 (later revised to 745,000), the highest in modern UK history. Student and work visa numbers exploded, and Illegal Channel crossings surged year after year
Despite all the talk, no meaningful enforcement or deterrent materialised. If control of borders was the goal, the reality moved in the opposite direction.
The Myth vs. The Reality
Boris Johnson is a master of slogans. “Get Brexit Done,” “Levelling Up,” “Build Back Better.” But the delivery rarely matched the promise. Brexit was technically delivered, but Northern Ireland was left with unresolved tensions. Levelling Up turned out to be soundbites with little substance. “Global Britain” became code for opening up even further, not tightening control
The bigger problem? Under his watch, the Conservative Party drifted further from the values of accountability, fiscal discipline, national sovereignty, and trust. Johnson didn’t stop that shift. He led it.
Voters Remember
Some in Westminster hope voters will forget. That personality can paper over performance. That wheeling out a familiar face will reset the narrative. But voters remember.
They remember the tax hikes. The energy bills. The broken border promises. They remember the spin and the reality that followed.
And no matter how loud the headlines get, one truth remains. Boris Johnson had his chance. He didn’t deliver. And bringing him back won’t change that. It’ll just prove we’ve learned nothing.
Follow me on X, Instagram, and Facebook for my regular updates or ready my recent post on how it’s Not UK Labour Damaging the Brand in Wales, It’s Welsh Labour.