LONDON, Sept. 29 -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson ignited the Brexit debate Sunday, saying Britain will leave the European Union next month despite a parliamentary bill forcing him to seek an extension from Brussels if there is no deal.
Johnson made his pledge in a television interview in Manchester as thousands of Conservatives arrived for the start of the last big party conference of the year.
The opening day of the conference was dominated by speeches from senior ministers, backing Johnson's determination to end Britain's membership of the EU on Oct. 31.
Johnson said the chances of striking a deal with the EU were still possible, adding that efforts were not helped by the Benn Act, the law put forward by veteran Labour politician Hilary Benn which forces Johnson to ask for a Brexit extension if he has not struck a deal by Oct. 19.
The prime minister has come under fire for referring to the law, which won a parliamentary majority as "the surrender act".
Despite the criticism, Johnson said in his interview: "Obviously the chances of a deal or no deal depend very much on the common sense of our friends and partners. It has not been helped by the 'surrender act'."
He said if Brussels suspects or thinks there is a realistic chance Britain can be kept in the EU, it would clearly take away a lot of the government's negotiating freedom.
Johnson also rejected suggestions that he would resign as prime minister rather than ask for an extension of Britain's EU membership.
In the conference hall, Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay, Leader of the Commons and passionate supporter of Leave, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Cabinet Minister Michael Gove, charged with making arrangements for a no-deal Brexit, all warned of the impact on politics of failing to honor the 17.4 million people who voted Leave in 2016.
With Labour now supportive of a general election with a new referendum offering a "remain" option, and the Liberal Democrats, wanting to revoke Britain's application to leave the EU, all three politicians described the Conservative Party as the only major party to support leaving.
The highlight of the conference is scheduled to be Johnson's closing speech Wednesday which will be an indication of the grassroots support for his tough Brexit stand.
While delegates in Manchester will continue what has been described as a "curtain raiser" for a snap election, much of the focus Monday will switch to London.
Main opposition leader, Labour's Jeremy Corbyn is likely to host a meeting Monday of opposition leaders to plan a strategy aimed at averting a no-deal Brexit.
It comes after the Scottish Nationalist Party said it would be prepared to back a Corbyn-led coalition government if parliament supports a vote of no confidence in Johnson's Conservative government.
The minority Liberal Democrats say they would back a caretaker government, but not if it was led by Corbyn.
Conservative MPs have been primed to return quickly to Westminster if a crucial confidence vote is called while the Manchester conference is underway.
GMAT数学的五个解题技巧
GMAT数学词汇整理:几何平面立体
GMAT数学满分的实用原则
GMAT数学基本概念解读:统计
GMAT数学词汇整理:几何坐标
GMAT数学备考资料:练习+讲解(19)
GMAT数学短期取得51分的方法
GMAT数学备考的五个方法
提高GMAT数学成绩的方法
GMAT数学拿高分的五大方法
GMAT数学词汇整理:几何图形概念
GMAT数学高分技巧总结
GMAT数学备考如何高效节省时间
GMAT数学真题140道(2)
短期提高GMAT数学成绩的秘诀
GMAT数学备考和考试的心得体会
GMAT数学的实用应试技巧
GMAT数学关键词汇总结
GMAT数学考试常用公式小结
GMAT数学题库经典试题解析(1)
GMAT数学满分的炼成方法
GMAT数学考试中的公理介绍
GMAT数学备考资料:练习+讲解(18)
详解GMAT数学中的计量方法
GMAT数学解题技巧:问题求解
GMAT数学备考资料:练习+讲解(17)
GMAT数学满分的备考方法
GMAT数学算数知识精解
GMAT数学词汇整理:几何三角
GMAT数学数据填充题应试技巧
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |