Boris Johnson announces fourth year of above inflation fare rises

Boris Johnson booed for holding up play at ATP final

They gilt this City: In the City of London, business really does control the mayor and council. By law.

City of London’s dragons mark the border of a part of the capital that’s resisted change for centuries. Businesses have more say than residents, and the City of London Corporation retains special privileges under law.

But what the City does best revolves around money. Some 450 international banks are based in the Square Mile, and the City speaks up for the UK’s financial industry. The corporation has a fair bit of money itself. About a third of its wealth is in a private fund – City’s Cash – which is thought to be worth about £1 billion, built up over centuries from property holdings across the capital and across the globe.

Famous for being famous: Boris Johnson may be the best-known politician in Britain but running on his record could hurt his re-election

He’s the first celebrity politician of the modern age. Known not only by his first name but by his very silhouette, Boris Johnson understands the power and significance of celebrity better than any other political figure in Britain today.

Whether he’s knocking bouffants with Barbara Windsor, or straddling a “Boris bike” with Arnold Schwarzenegger, it is always Boris who manages to steal the star role.
And like other modern celebrities, Boris understands that fame no longer requires the famous to actually do anything. For the modern celebrity, fame itself is both the means and the ends.

Paxman butters up Boris - as his real BBC inquisitors are threatened with cuts

Aww, sweet. Forget scrutinising the most important man in London, let’s cosy up to him instead!

Woolwich woes: what if you threw a riot and nobody saw?

Many London districts hit by riots got lovebombed afterwards – but one got the big stick from its council instead. Welcome to Woolwich, a beaten-up, beaten-down place that’s not likely to feature in any “new Hoxton” lists soon.

Boris Johnson in 'The Mystery of the Missing Mayor'

As the whole world watched on in horror as criminal hordes wrecked London for three straight nights, the Mayor was nowhere to be seen. But whilst Boris Johnson was missing presumed holidaying, his re-election campaign was still fully present and correct.

Lembit Opik limps out of Mayoral race

Lembit Opik limps out of the race to be London Mayor – and guess what? It’s all the bloggers’ fault.

Ken's Jubilee Line campaign goes off the rails

Boris Johnson walks away from hecklers after riots