Searcy, Arkansas – Harding University is set to welcome former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the first fall speaker in the university’s Distinguished Lecture Series.
Johnson will appear at the invitation of the Harding University American Studies Institute. His presentation is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, giving students and members of the community an opportunity to hear from a former head of government with a long career in British politics, journalism and public life.
Johnson served as prime minister of the United Kingdom beginning in 2019 and also led the Conservative Party. Earlier in his political career, he served as Britain’s foreign secretary and spent two terms as mayor of London.
His time as prime minister included one of the most significant political developments in recent British history. Johnson’s Conservative Party won its largest House of Commons majority since 1987, and his government went on to deliver Brexit, bringing the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union into effect after years of political debate following the 2016 referendum.
His government also pursued a number of domestic priorities, including infrastructure, education and technology. It also focused on reducing economic differences between regions of the country.
Johnson’s time in office was heavily shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. As prime minister, he oversaw the United Kingdom’s response to the health crisis, including the development and rollout of vaccines. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was among those developed and distributed during that period. His government also oversaw the reopening of the economy as restrictions were lifted.
International affairs became another major part of Johnson’s time as prime minister. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he became a prominent international supporter of Ukraine.
The United Kingdom also hosted the COP26 climate conference during his tenure. The meeting in Glasgow resulted in the establishment of the Glasgow Climate Pact, an international agreement focused on climate action.
Johnson’s political career began well before his time at 10 Downing Street. He first entered Parliament in 2001 and later served as mayor of London for two terms. During his time as mayor, he oversaw the 2012 London Olympic Games and supported initiatives that became closely associated with the city, including the Routemaster bus and the cycle-hire scheme.
Away from politics, Johnson has also built a career as a journalist and author. He has written several books, including The Churchill Factor and Unleashed, and has received recognition for his work as a journalist.
His upcoming appearance at Harding will be part of the American Studies Institute’s Distinguished Lecture Series, which brings notable public figures to the university for discussions and presentations.
Admission to the Oct. 12 event will require a ticket. Free tickets can be reserved beginning Sept. 24 through Harding’s ticketing website.
Additional information about the event and the American Studies Institute is available through Harding University. Those seeking more details can also call 501-279-4497.
For Harding students and other attendees, the lecture will provide an opportunity to hear directly from Johnson about his experiences in British government and his wider career in politics, journalism and public service.
