July 23, 2019–Boris Johnson, outspoken Eurosceptic politician in the United Kingdom won the conservative party’s election to succeed Theresa May as head of party and state in a sweeping victory.
Johnson won 92,153 Tory-party votes, nearly double that of his opponent Jeremy Hunt. That gives him a strong mandate to lead his country out of the European Union — a process that proved too difficult for his predecessor.
In his victory speech following the vote count, Johnson said it is “a pivotal moment in history.”
He said leaders have to reconcile “the deep desire for” friendship, free trade and mutual support for security between the Britain and Europe and “the simultaneous desire, equally deep and heartfelt, for democratic self government.”
A ‘Do-or-Die’ Brexit Strategy
Johnson has promised to take Britain out of its trade and governance agreements with the European Union “do or die” by October 31.
However, he faces the same predicament on Brexit that thwarted Theresa May. The UK parliament repeatedly rejected the Brexit deal May negotiated with the European Union. Without a deal to continue relations with the EU while exiting from its treaties and governance structures, the British economy could experience chaotic shocks, uncertainty over legal contracts and potential disruption for trade of goods.
That is why the UK newspaper the Financial Times said Johnson faces “the most daunting challenge of any British politician in peacetime.”
Today, Johnson responded with a boldness as he address the audience of Tory party members.
“Well I look at you and I ask myself, ‘Do you look daunted? Do you feel daunted?’ I don’t think you look remotely daunted,” Johnson said. “We are going to get Brexit done on October 31.”
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