It’s not hard to identify the political winners from the Olympics. Boris Johnson, who has never missed an opportunity to make a populist intervention, and whose named was chanted by thousands during that extraordinary speech in Hyde Park, is now spoken of as a potential prime minister by both the left and the right, and is increasingly viewed as a threat by Labour.
Beginning with the Queen’s skit with James Bond (the highlight of the Olympics ceremony for voters, according to polling by YouGov), the royal family has seemed more at ease with itself than for decades. The BBC’s coverage has reminded us of the intrinsic value of public broadcasting, while the armed forces, filling the void left by G4S, have renewed their bond with the public.
But who are the losers?