Boris Johnson has a problem with expectations management – and it may end up costing him

The PM has certainly made more of an effort to rein in his more exuberant side, says Andrew Woodcock, but is it enough?

The prime minister at a vaccination centre in Cwmbran, south Wales (AP)

When Boris Johnson finally unveils his roadmap out of lockdown on Monday, the success or failure of his message will depend to a great degree on how successfully he has managed expectations.

This is one of the most crucial skills for a politician, and it’s one that the prime minister has so far not shown himself a master of.

The theory is that a government that promises a little and delivers a bit more will reap the gratitude of voters who feel they are getting more than they expected. Conversely, a government that promises the moon and the stars but falls short even by a fraction will be regarded as having failed.