Jump to content

UK PM Johnson eyes parliament vote before Christmas to 'get Brexit done'


webfact

Recommended Posts

UK PM Johnson eyes parliament vote before Christmas to 'get Brexit done'

By Elizabeth Piper

 

2019-12-15T151132Z_2_LYNXMPEFBE08L_RTROPTP_4_BRITAIN-EU-JOHNSON.JPG

Britian's Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a visit to the Barratt Homes - Willow Grove housing development in Bedford, Britian November 21, 2019. Dan Kitwood/Pool via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will "get Brexit done" by Jan. 31 and then agree a new trade deal with the European Union by the end of 2020, cabinet office minister Michael Gove said on Sunday, vowing to deliver on the government's top priority.

 

Johnson and his team were triumphant last week when he won a commanding majority of 80 at an early election he said he was forced to call to break the Brexit deadlock. Winning over many traditionally Labour voters in northern and central England, Johnson has proclaimed he will lead a "people's government".

 

First, the Conservative leader must make good on his often-repeated promise to "get Brexit done" and then turn to realising another priority - to increase funding into Britain's much loved but struggling public health service, a pledge he plans to enshrine in law.

 

"I can absolutely confirm that we will have an opportunity to vote on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill in relatively short order and then we will make sure that it passes before January 31st," Gove told Sky News.

 

Asked about a new trade accord with the EU, Gove said: "It will be concluded next year. We will be in a position to leave the European Union before the 31st of January next year and then we will have concluded our conversations with the EU about the new framework of free trade and friendly cooperation that we will have with them by the end of next year."

 

The EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, has cast doubt over whether the trade talks will be so swiftly concluded, saying last month that the negotiations would be "difficult and demanding" and warning Britain the bloc "will not tolerate unfair competitive advantage".

 

Johnson, who celebrated his victory by visiting Sedgefield, a former Labour bastion that was the parliamentary seat of ex-prime minister Tony Blair but voted Conservative this time, will set out his programme on Thursday in a Queen's Speech.

 

Rishi Sunak, a deputy finance minister, said the government aimed to re-submit the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to parliament for ratification before Christmas to allow ministers to start work on other priorities such as "levelling up" the country.

 

LABOUR SOUL-SEARCHING

After more than three years of debate over Brexit, Johnson faces a struggle to unite a country where disagreements over how, when or whether Britain should leave the EU have torn towns, villages and even families apart.

 

According to the Sunday Times, Johnson plans to make major changes to his top team of ministers in February to focus on delivering his election promises, especially those made to voters in northern and central England, once called the "red wall" because of their loyalty towards Labour.

 

For the opposition Labour Party, Thursday's election was its worst result since 1935 and underlined how its equivocal Brexit policy and its socialist leader, Jeremy Corbyn, had proven an electoral disaster for many traditional supporters.

 

"Let me make it clear that it's on me. Let's take it on the chin," Labour's finance chief John McDonnell told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show. "I own this disaster."

 

He said there would be a new leader in place by early next year, and already some said they were considering running.

 

Lisa Nandy, a lawmaker for the northern town of Wigan, said she could enter the race, while justice policy chief Richard Burgon said he would back Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labour's business policy chief, if she decided to run for the leadership.

 

Corbyn, who apologised to Labour supporters in two newspapers on Sunday, has said he will step down as soon as a new leader has been elected by the party membership.

 

"I will make no bones about it. The result was a body blow for everyone who so desperately needs real change in our country...I'm sorry that we came up short and I take my responsibility for it," he wrote.

 

But Corbyn added: "I remain proud of the campaign we fought ... And I'm proud that our message was one of hope, rather than fear."

 

(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

 

reuters_logo.jpg

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-16
Link to comment
Share on other sites

39 minutes ago, Purdey said:

How can Labour elect a leader if Corbyn is still leader? 

 

Well, he doesn't really think he lost the election. Just misguided people being mislead by the media and not understanding all his crystal clear policies that would have delivered utopia instantly to everyone.

 

But the PR team are insisting he now accepts responsibility for Labour's biggest disaster since 1935, which although he initially wouldn't, he now does.

 

However, he wants to stay on as leader to make sure that whoever succeeds him is from his wing of the party and will continue the policies he and his SWP/Militant Momentum group want. Regardless of the fact those policies have just been overwhelmingly rejected, in some very die-hard Labour constituencies.

 

Jeremy believes he knows best and knows what's best for the people.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

How can Labour elect a leader if Corbyn is still leader? 

Fear Not.

 

Jeremy has been absolutely crystal clear that he thought he might be undecided on resigning, but now he's not so sure.

 

Given his dynamic, decisive nature, he's certain he will let the party know by 2022. Possibly. Well, definitely maybe. Ish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Purdey said:

How can Labour elect a leader if Corbyn is still leader? 

The Labour Party is elected by the Labour Unions. They insist to have a Marxist Socialist at the helm. 

 

8 aug. 2016 - Trade unions constitute a sizeable influence in the Labour Party. ... So most unions' goal will be to get Corbyn re-elected as party leader on ...
 
The Labour Party was formed and funded by the trade union movement ... Such portrayals of union leaders as uncompromising contrarians continued, influencing public ... Labour lost the general election of 1970 and the Conservatives quickly ...
16 uur geleden - The members of the Labour party get to vote for the next leader. ... Trade union affiliates will also be able to cast their ballot. ... In Corbyn's first leadership election, more than 100,000 registered supporters who paid just £3 were ... Freed from the influence of an owner or shareholders the Guardian's robust ...
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.




×
×
  • Create New...