A Rorschach test is an exercise some psychologists use to assess a patient's personality. The patient is shown a series of inky patterns and asked what they think they look like. Two people might see very different things in the same image.

Sometimes politicians can have the same effect. Some people look at Boris Johnson and see a man who won a thumping majority at the 2019 election, who got BrexitThe UK's departure from the European Union. done after years of wrangling, who wanted to bring prosperity to the "left-behind" areas of the north, who steered Britain through Covid-19, who was brought down by the treachery of lesser men.

Others see a bloviatingTalking for a long time in a self-important way, but without really saying anything. buffoon who permanently trashed Britain's reputation on the global stage with his dishonesty and incompetence, who partied while others suffered, who had to leave office in disgrace because he did not think the rules should apply to him.

So which is the real Boris Johnson? The wronged statesman or the lying scoundrel?

Johnson likes to compare himself with Winston ChurchillThe British prime minister during World War Two, and later from 1951 to 1955. . In private, Churchill was also something of a clown, who drank too much and made bawdy jokes. But in public, he was a solid, reassuring presence.

And that, Johnson's critics say, is where the comparison ends. Johnson's problem is that his public image is just as buffoonish as his private one.

This is not entirely his fault. In Churchill's day there was much less media scrutiny. There was no 24-hour rolling news, no tabloids digging up dirt on politicians' personal lives. They spent much less time in front of a camera. It was easier to control their public image.

Johnson's private life, in contrast, has been picked over constantly since he first entered parliamentAn assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws. 20 years ago. And in an age when everyone has a smartphone with a camera, it was inevitable that pictures of the Downing Street10 Downing Street, in central London, has been the official home of the UK prime minister since 1735. parties that led to his downfall would come out.

But even taking this into account, critics say, Johnson never had the calibre of a Churchill. His hero presented a steadfast image that inspired people to hang on during World War Two. In contrast, during the pandemic, they argue, Johnson reacted too late and could not make up his mind. As a result, Britain ended up with almost twice the proportion of excess deaths as its neighbours.¹

Others think there is a more accurate parallel with a different Conservative partyA British political party. Members are known as Tories. prime minister: Benjamin Disraeli. Like Johnson, Disraeli was seen as fun-loving and unserious. Like Johnson, he spent much of his time as prime minister writing books instead of governing.

His speeches were rambling and unthoughtful. He betrayed many of his friends in his scramble to the top. He was slow to react to crises.

Nonetheless, he had his talents. Like Johnson, he had a unique power to speak for ordinary people. Both men went toe-to-toe with their own parties and forced them into reform.

Disraeli's first term as prime minister was short and tumultuous, but he came back to win a second six years later. Johnson will be hoping he can pull off the same feat.

Yes: Johnson's whole career is a melodramaA film, story or TV plot with exaggerated emotions and characters. of betrayal, deceit and personal nastiness. He elevated his own ego over the interests of the nation. His name should live in infamy forever.

No: Johnson had his flaws, but so do most politicians. Unlike the rest, he really cared about bringing growth and opportunities to the areas of the country that have been neglected in recent decades.

Or... The real problem is not with Johnson, but with the people in politics and media who boosted him and cheered him on right up to the end. Britain must think about how its political culture enabled him.

Brexit - The UK's departure from the European Union.

Bloviating - Talking for a long time in a self-important way, but without really saying anything.

Winston Churchill - The British prime minister during World War Two, and later from 1951 to 1955.

parliament - An assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws.

Downing Street - 10 Downing Street, in central London, has been the official home of the UK prime minister since 1735.

Conservative party - A British political party. Members are known as Tories.

Melodrama - A film, story or TV plot with exaggerated emotions and characters.