Editor’s Note: This interview was conducted in 2013 with Boris Johnson, then Mayor of London. It offers a fascinating snapshot of his views on lifestyle, politics, and Shoreditch’s growing role as a cultural and tech hub.
On Lifestyle and Daily Habits
Giedrius Ivanauskas: You’re known for a lively personality. What about your lifestyle — how do you start your day?
Boris Johnson: Very healthy lifestyle. I get up early. I read almost nothing except Latin and Greek. And I like to think I’ve got a good sense of humour. Beyond that? I eat anything, really.
From Journalism to Politics
Giedrius Ivanauskas: You began your career in journalism — wasn’t it at The Spectator?
Boris Johnson: Almost. I actually started as a writer and briefly as a management consultant. That lasted about a week. Then I moved into journalism.
Giedrius Ivanauskas: And why did you eventually decide to move from journalism into politics?
Boris Johnson: Like many journalists, I felt it was something I needed to do. I got fed up with constantly attacking and criticising people. It was a kind of mid-life moment, so I wanted to put myself in the firing line instead.
The Best and Worst Parts of the Job
Giedrius Ivanauskas: What do you enjoy the most and least about being Mayor of London?
Boris Johnson: The toughest part is handling the out-of-control firehose of good news in London. We’re doing so many great things that it’s sometimes hard to manage them all. The best part is that there’s always something new happening. London really is the world brought together in one city.
Why Shoreditch Stands Out
Giedrius Ivanauskas: Since we’re from Shoreditch, I have to ask: what makes Shoreditch unique compared to other areas of London?
Boris Johnson: Shoreditch is a happening place. I recently opened a fantastic boxing academy there, a new youth club. Shoreditch is booming now because it’s at the heart of Tech City. It’s going to have a great future.
On Tech, Startups, and London’s Competitiveness
Giedrius Ivanauskas: What are the Mayor’s Office and the city doing to strengthen the tech industry and competitiveness in London?
Boris Johnson: A lot. You need to make sure rents are reasonable and that there’s space for start-ups, like incubators, and we’re providing that. Good transport links are also vital — that’s one of the reasons Shoreditch thrives, because the connections are excellent. But above all, tech companies are drawn here by the quality of life. London has so many attractions, and it’s full of bright, ambitious people. That’s the magic — the lifestyle, the Made in Shoreditch lifestyle. It’s the look, the culture, the restaurants, the bars, the energy. And of course, innovation. That’s what makes it all work.
Closing Thoughts
Shoreditch in 2013 was already being hailed as a cultural and technological powerhouse. Speaking with Boris Johnson confirmed that its growth wasn’t accidental but supported by policy, infrastructure, and an undeniable lifestyle pull. His words ring even truer today: London thrives because it reinvents itself daily — and Shoreditch remains one of its brightest engines.