Boris Johnson is indulging himself but has no idea what he stands for

There are clear parallels between the prime minister and the self-serving character of James Steerforth in David Copperfield, writes Tony Martin. Plus letters from Jane Kearey and Gudrun Hansen about Johnson’s Onan joke. Marina Hyde describes Boris Johnson as “self-obsessed” and “chained … to his ego” ( Lurching and rambling, the man in charge has lost control, Journal, 9 November). In addition to psychology, literature can throw light on this flawed characte