The favorite in the race for the succession of British Prime Minister Theresa May, Boris Johnson, considers successful negotiations with the EU on the Brexit agreement feasible. All it takes is the „right energy and the right commitment,“ said the ex-Foreign Minister on Saturday at a local conference of the Torys in Birmingham in front of hundreds of members. However, a readjustment was previously considered excluded by the EU.
Johnson also suggested excluding the sensitive issue of controls at the border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland on the withdrawal agreement. This could then be resolved in the context of negotiations on a free trade agreement, said Johnson.
Border controls on the Irish island should definitely be prevented, because otherwise there is a fear of a resurgence of conflict between pro-British Protestants and pro-Irish Catholics. However, many members of the conservative governing party do not want to accept the solution agreed so far.
Final invoice over 45 billion euros
Johnson again threatened to refuse the already agreed payment of the final invoice for about 45 billion euros. In this question, the principle of „creative ambiguity“ must be applied, said the 55-year-old politician.
Who can lead Britons out of Brexit chaos?
The British had voted in June 2016 by a narrow majority in a referendum for the EU exit of their country. Because she failed three times in parliament with her Brexit deal, Prime Minister May announced her resignation last month. The Brexit period has since been extended to 31 October. Johnson had announced that the exit date would be „with or without a deal“ this time – though in the case of a „no-deal-Brexit“ dramatic consequences for the economy are feared.
Tory party leader is scheduled to be established at the end of July
Johnson and his competitor Jeremy Hunt presented themselves for the first time in Birmingham the party base. By the end of July, the estimated 160,000 members of the Conservative Party will vote by postal ballot on the new party leader and thus prime minister. Until then, the two counterparts will appear in 15 other regional conferences throughout the country. Hunt announced that it would drastically cut corporate tax in the UK and put pressure on the EU.
No response Johnson wanted to give on Saturday to the question of the moderator, which had given rise to a police operation in front of his apartment in London. British newspapers had reported an alleged incident in the apartment, which he shares with his new partner in London. There, neighbors reportedly called the police over a loud night-to-Friday dispute. He does not think the audience wants to „hear that kind of stuff,“ Johnson said.
Scotland Yard confirmed a mission but did not name it. A neighbor had out of concern for his neighbor called the police, it said in a statement. The officials spoke with all the residents of the affected apartment. They were all well and there was no evidence of any offense or cause for concern.
The resident told the Guardian that he had picked up the argument from his own apartment. He knocked three times on the door of Johnson and Symonds, but no one responded. He said he had heard „two very loud screams“ and a „loud bang“ that made the walls shake.
„The Times“: Negative consequences possible
The Times newspaper believes that the incident could have negative consequences for Johnson. „Much will depend on the next 24 hours and on whether the reception of the neighbor appears,“ the newspaper wrote. At least the race for the leadership of the Tories and thus the office of head of government, which last looked like „a pure formality“, now get more weight.
Johnson is considered a big favorite in the race for Downing Street. In a survey conducted by opinion polling agency YouGov in mid-June, 77 percent of the Tory respondents surveyed said the ex-foreign minister was a good party leader in their view. His successor in office, Hunt, came in only 56 percent.
