Thatcher was judged on what she changed. Johnson will be too

The first time I met Boris Johnson, Margaret Thatcher died. Eight years ago today, I was sitting in a meeting, across a table from Johnson at the precise moment he was told the news of her death.

I was there with the then chairman and chief executive of London Councils, discussing the finer points of the London city deal. Johnson, mayor of London at the time, was exhorting, almost pleading with us: “C’mon guys, I just know that we can agree on this, I really want you to agree with me” when one of his assistants interrupted the meeting and handed him a folded scrap of paper.

He took the note, read it and then exclaimed: “Baroness Thatcher has died. I’m sure you’ll agree gentlemen,