I think he has some solid Conservative instincts (look at his old Spectator articles), but he's been forced to publically move to the left on some social issues because of the prevailing culture, and taxation/spending because of the austerity narrative that has cut through.
It's also why the Tories have always maintained their distance from Farage. The calculation is that reverting to old-school social conservatism on issues like immigration, family values, etc would lose them more votes than it would gain.
Let's face it, if it was't for Brexit the Tories would be totally ****ed at this election. There's absolutely no way they would be threatening to break the red wall after "a decade of austerity"
Weren't his Spectator articles pandering to his audience, though? Look at his time as mayor. All the cycling/green nonsense. He's about as Conservative as those pseudo-socialists Cameron and Osborne, who got us into this God-awful mess with their refusal to rein in public spending.
Looked at objectively, the truly fascinating thing about this campaign has been the LibDem's total and utter implosion. They actually facilitated this election because they saw it as their best chance since 2010 to become relevant again. Instead, their vote has collapsed, Swinson has proved about as popular as cold vomit and was last heard on Today wittering madness about there being no such thing as biological sex.
To be fair, in Johnson's case I think that reflects the way in which Brexit has utterly polarised views. Anyone anti-Brexit will disapprove of Johnson and anyone pro will approve him. That skews this type of polling and leaves zero room for nuance.
In Corbyn's case, he's just a disaster. On that we agree.