When London mayor Boris Johnson got stuck on a zip line last week in a botched attempt to soar over Olympic spectators -- ending up suspended above them awkwardly for several minutes, Union Jacks in each arm fluttering dejectedly -- all of Britain chuckled, particularly at his wit and good grace in a graceless position. And pundits actually launched into another round of speculations about the mayor's political ambitions. Although Johnson has vehemently denied a desire to become Britain's prime minister, as Alex Massie writes for FP, "he doth protest too much -- and he knows it too." The Conservative Johnson, whose party is the only thing about him that sounds politically orthodox, has a reputation for being London's court jester, a disheveled and jolly bloke who always seems to be pulling strange antics. Despite the unflattering photos and all manner of mishaps and unsavory quotes, Johnson seems to be politically indestructible, and London's Mad Hatter just might give David Cameron a run for his money. Here's a colorful year in the life of the ridiculous man who just might lead Britain, from cleaning up the mess of last August's riots to hosting the dazzling 2012 Olympic Games.
Above, Boris Johnson dangles from a zip line after losing momentum in an attempt to glide over Olympic spectators on Aug. 1. Video footage of his zip line flop went viral, sparking a spate of speculations about his political ambitions. Downplaying the incident, Johnson said of himself: "How could anybody elect a prat who gets stuck in a zip wire?"
Johnson walks with workmen in Tottenham on Aug. 10, 2011, after the north London neighborhood witnessed massive riots. Several days of arson and looting began after a protestor in Tottenham was fatally shot by police and authorities forcibly cleared the area of demonstrators. As rioting spread over the ensuing days, thousands were arrested for criminal conduct, and several of those cases are still outstanding. Johnson had to cut his family vacation short to return to London and deal with the uprising. The mayor faced a mixed response to his handling of the crisis, with sharp criticism from some Londoners who had lost property during the riots and called for his resignation, while others praised his efforts to clean up the city and restore normalcy.
Johnson and musician Newton Faulkner pose for a photo op at London Bridge Underground station on Mar. 28, 2011. The mayor was joined by the musician to highlight the city's Rhythm of London underground busking (street music) competition.
Johnson attends the grand opening of Europe's first M&Ms World store on London's Leicester Square on July 6, 2011.
Johnson plays tennis during the International Paralympic Day held in London's Trafalgar Square on Sept. 8, 2011. The event was planned to celebrate the 20 sports that will be featured at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and meet Britain's participating athletes.
Johnson poses with members of Notting Hill Carnival masquerade band Genesis on Aug. 24, 2011 ahead of the Notting Hill Carnival, a two-day festival showcasing music from the city's Afro-Caribbean neighborhoods.
Johnson -- an avid biker, who perhaps is most famous for launching a bike-sharing program in London (known to all as "Boris Bikes") -- arrives at Portcullis House on Sept. 6, 2011. The mayor and officials from the Metropolitan Police gathered to present evidence before a home affairs select committee regarding the London riots.
Johnson holds telephones to his ears on a stock trading floor as he attends the BGC Partners' Charity Day in London on Sept. 12, 2011. BGC is a British financial service based in New York City, and the Charity Day is held every year to commemorate the company's 658 employees who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Boris Johnson attends the Diwali celebrations at the Neasden Temple in London on Oct. 27, 2011. Diwali marks the start of the Hindu New Year. Johnson praised the temple's congregation for the "wonderful things" the community is doing for the city.
London's mayor catches a potato at a free food event in the city on Nov. 18, 2011. The "Feed the 5,000" free lunch event in Trafalgar Square was aimed at raising awareness of the impact of throwing good food away. The oversized and misshapen vegetables he's holding can't be sold in London's grocery stores because they fall short of cosmetic standards, so they typically go to waste.
Typically disheveled, Boris speaks to the media at City Hall after being elected for a second consecutive term as London's mayor on May 4, 2012. While the Labour Party made large gains across the country in local elections, Johnson retained his position for the Conservative Party in a tight battle with Labour's Ken Livingstone.
Johnson poses for the media as Tim Clark, the president of Emirates Airlines, looks on during the opening of the "Emirates Air Line," a cable car system in east London, on June 28. The new multimillion-dollar cable car system can ferry up to 2,500 people across the Thames River every hour, connecting two venues of the city's Olympic Games.
Boris Johnson tests out a bed on his visit to the Olympic Village in London on July 12, where the athletes for the London 2012 Games are being housed.
The mayor gesticulates on stage during the Opening Ceremony of the 124th IOC Session at London's Royal Opera House, prior to the start of the 2012 Olympic Games on July 23.
Boris Johnson hams it up with Olympics athletes Tessa Sanderson-White, Jayne Torvill, and Kelly Holmes as Team Great Britain arrives in the Olympic Village on July 24.
Prime Minister David Cameron and Boris Johnson cheer for Britain's athletes on day eight of the London 2012 Olympic Games
