We should be wary of responding to the media caricatures of any of these public figures. It's their track record that counts.
Like many, I abhor the media persona that boris has created. But a few years ago I watched a live broadcast of him in council with all the London councillors. Without notes, without briefing, he adroitly and assuredly handled a probing and at times hostile series of questions from the floor. It was quietly impressive. Changed my view of him.