Boris Johnson has set out his vision to “bring our country together” and “get Brexit done” – as he called on the EU to respond to the UK’s “compromise” offer on a new divorce deal.
In his first Conservative conference speech as his party’s leader, Mr Johnson said his government would be tabling “constructive and reasonable proposals” to Brussels later on Wednesday.
The prime minister vowed that “under no circumstances” would there be “checks at or near the border in Northern Ireland”, as he appeared to dismiss recent reports of what will be in the UK’s plans.
He also promised “a process of renewable democratic consent by the executive and assembly of Northern Ireland” for a post-Brexit scenario, as well as the UK being able to have “control of our own trade policy from the start”.
“At the same time we will allow the UK – whole and entire – to withdraw from the EU,” he said.
In a message to EU leaders, Mr Johnson warned the “alternative” to a failure to reach an agreement is a no-deal Brexit.
He said: “Yes this is a compromise by the UK. And I hope very much that our friends understand that and compromise in their turn.
“Because if we fail to get an agreement because of what is essentially a technical discussion of the exact nature of future customs checks, when that technology is improving the whole time, then let us be in no doubt that the alternative is no-deal.”
However, Mr Johnson’s speech presented a more conciliatory tone from what Number 10 officials had suggested would be a “take it or leave it” offer to the EU.
The prime minister also used his speech to:
- Attack Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for failing to support his call for a general election
- Warn of “grave consequences for trust in democracy” if Brexit did not take place
- Repeat his vow that the UK would leave the EU on 31 October “come what may”
- Promise to create an “economic platform for dynamic free market capitalism”
- Reiterate his domestic priorities of the NHS, schools and police
Mr Johnson’s speech, for which his father Stanley Johnson and partner Carrie Symonds were in the audience, was well-received by Conservative members inside the conference venue although it was unusually void of policy announcements.
In trademark rhetorical flourishes, Mr Johnson spoke of the “supermasticated subject of Brexit”, “fratricidal antisemitic Marxists” at Labour’s conference last week, and “superinformative vermicelli” of broadband investment.