History, like Lord Heseltine, will judge Boris Johnson harshly

Editorial: The Conservative Party grandee is right to say that a former premier has never been so ‘nakedly and painfully on the rack’ as Johnson is now

Michael Heseltine is well qualified to judge the record of the past few disastrous years, and the man who has done so much to shape them (PA)

Given how far Boris Johnson’s reputation has already sunk before he’s even turned 60, it seems unlikely that any pronouncements he makes when he gets to the age of 90 will be taken very seriously. Happily, that does not apply to Michael Heseltine, still vigorous, still full of political nous, and still speaking out about the state of the nation. And what he has to say is actually worth listening to.

Lord Heseltine served as a minister under Edward Heath, Margaret Thatcher and, including a time as deputy prime minister, under John Major – so he understands high politics and power, and the changing fortunes that a career in public life brings.

He is thus well qualified to judge the record of the past few disastrous years, and the man, Mr Johnson, who has done so much to shape them.