Boris Johnson: From failed politician to Britain's new Prime Minister

This story is based on conversations with parliamentarians, advisers and ministers and shows how Johnson convinced his skeptical colleagues to put their faith in him

In a luxury hotel in the heart of one of London’s most expensive neighborhoods, Boris Johnson celebrated his victory in the race to become UK prime minister on Tuesday night.

Gathered with his team at the reception in Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, he and guests swapped stories of the six-week contest over salmon mousse and sausages on sticks. They toasted the triumph with glasses of premium rosé champagne. The entertainment was a magician performing card tricks.

But the most spectacular act of wizardry had already taken place: the transformation of a politician derided as a failure 12 months earlier into the most