Part 2 of an essay on the significance of Boris Johnson’s election as Mayor of London. Here Jeremy Gilbert develops his analysis of the rise of an anti-political attitude, sponsored by political and media elites, and links it to Johnson’s success. He goes on to draw lessons for the future of the left.

Jeremy Gilbert asks why, given Ken Livingstone’s political shrewdness and general effectiveness as Mayor, he was so easily displaced by the politically inexperienced Johnson.