London mayor Boris Johnson approaches end of tenure with high profile but scant legacy of achievement

Boris Johnson, the eccentric London mayor who dreams of Brexit and becoming Britain’s next Conservative prime minister, has arguably achieved little in the post save making a name for himself.

With a mop of blond hair, a bumbling demeanour and a fondness of drifting into Latin, the erudite 51-year-old has presided over the British capital since 2008.

“His eight years as mayor are characterised by success as a celebrity figurehead and almost no mayoral achievements at all,” wrote columnist Matthew Parris, formerly a Conservative lawmaker, in The Times newspaper.

Even the cycle hire system which bears his name – “Boris bikes” – was initiated by his Labour predecessor Ken Livingstone.

Johnson’s finest hour probably came when he hosted the London 2012 Olympics and he leaves the British capital with a new cross-city rail line well on track – both secured on Livingstone’s watch.