BORIS BASHES THE BENCHES
Boris Johnson tells MPs who’ve failed to deliver Brexit their ‘first job is to restore trust in democracy’
BORIS Johnson today called on Brexit-blocking MPs to "restore trust in democracy" by allowing Britain to leave the EU at last in his first Commons speech.
The Prime Minister had minutes earlier told his Cabinet of Brexiteers at their first meeting that the UK must leave "on October 31 or indeed earlier - no ifs, no buts" and vowed to crack on immediately.
37
37
He then faced down rebellious MPs and warned they must stop obstructing Brexit or face a furious backlash from voters.
On the first full day under new PM Boris Johnson:
- Boris gathered his top team for the first time, with a group full of women and minorities
- He tore into Jeremy Corbyn, accusing him of being taken over by Remain-backing aliens
- Former foe Michael Gove was introduced to go full steam ahead to get Britain ready for No Deal
- Meanwhile, Theresa May relaxed at the cricket on the first day since she officially quit
Referring to MPs failing to deliver Brexit despite numerous votes over the last three years, Mr Johnson told the Commons: "We must take some immediate steps. The first is to restore trust in our democracy and fulfil the repeated promises of Parliament to the people, by coming out of the EU and doing so on October 31."
He said his whole Cabinet was "committed" to quitting the EU on time, adding: "To do otherwise would cause a catastrophic loss of confidence in our political system.
"It will leave the British people wondering whether their politicians could ever be trusted again to follow a clear democratic instruction."
He added: "I would prefer us to leave the European Union with a deal, I would much prefer it. I believe that is still possible even at this late stage and I will work flat out to make it happen. But certain things need to be clear.
"The withdrawal agreement negotiated by my predecessor has been three times rejected by this house. No country that values its independence and indeed its self-respect could agree to a treaty which signed away our economic independence and self-government as this backstop does.
"It must be clearly understood that the way to the deal goes by way of the abolition of the backstop.
"Our national participation in the European Union is coming to an end - and that must be recognised by all parties."
The way to the deal goes by way of the abolition of the backstop
Boris Johnson
Boris revealed that he would refuse to nominate a British member of the new European Commission in a sign the UK is ending its involvement in EU politics.
In an echo of Trump he vowed Britain would be "the greatest place on Earth" after Brexit, with major reforms to tech, farming and the country's town while carbon emissions will fall to zero by 2050.
Jeremy Corbyn hit back claiming the new PM can't be trusted to deliver on his promises to the country and attacked the "hard-right Cabinet".
The Labour boss added: "I was deeply alarmed to see no plan for Brexit. He was in the Cabinet that accepted the backstop and of course voted for it on March 30 this year.
"It would be welcome if he could set out what he finds so objectionable, having voted for it less than four months ago. Could he explain this flip-flopping?"
But BoJo hit back in a devastating attack claiming Mr Corbyn had been removed by "body snatchers" because of his Brexit U-turn, joking: "He has been turned now into a Remainer!"
He also blasted: "We are the party of the many, they are the party of the few - we will take this country forward, they will take it backwards."
SNP chief Ian Blackford said Boris was in a parallel universe but Tory grandee piled on the praise, saying: "The EU will have listened and realised the days of supplication are over."
'NO IFS, NO BUTS'
With 98 days and counting until Brexit, Mr Johnson this morning stamped his authority on the super-sized Cabinet of 33 ministers.
They have all signed up to his pledge to leave the EU on Halloween, with or without a deal - even the Remainers like Amber Rudd.
The PM told his ministers it was "wonderful to see this new team assembled here", saying the Cabinet reflects "depth and breadth of talent in our extraordinary party".
He added: "As you all know we have a momentous task ahead of us, at a pivotal moment in our country's history. We are now committed, all of us, to leaving the European Union on October 31 or indeed earlier - no ifs, no buts.
"But we are not going to wait until October 31 to get on with a fantastic new agenda for our country, and that means delivering the priorities of the people."
The new Lib Dem boss Jo Swinson has tabled a no-confidence motion in Boris in a bid to end his time in office after just 24 hours.
But it has no chance of success because Jeremy Corbyn has refused to back it, claiming a failed attempt to unseat the Tory leader will only strengthen his hand.
The new Prime Minister - who says his favourite film moment is "the retribution scene from The Godfather" - moved to purge his ministers within hours of being asked by the Queen to form a Government.
The "night of the blond knives" saw 17 of Theresa May's top team chucked out with even Jeremy Hunt dumped from the Cabinet in the biggest cull of ministers for decades
Boris has replaced them with a group of loyalists and hardline Brexiteers, headed by Dominic Raab as Foreign Secretary and deputy PM, and Priti Patel as Home Secretary.
His list of pledges includes slashing GP waiting times, hiring more police and pumping cash into education.
Mr Johnson mockers "doubters, doomsters and gloomsters" who claim Brexit will be a flop and vowed: "Never mind the backstop - the buck stops here!"
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
Boris Johnson makes his first speech after becoming PM outside No10 Downing Street
After promoting Sajid Javid to Chancellor last night, Boris made the bold move of making rival Michael Gove Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, responsible for No Deal planning.
Gavin Williamson was brought back as Education Secretary just three months after Mrs May sacked him over a Huawei information leak, and Andrea Leadsom got the role of Business Secretary weeks after she quit over Brexit as well.
Amber Rudd kept her role as Work and Pensions Secretary but will also become Minister for Women and Equalities.
Nicky Morgan was brought back as Culture Secretary while 37-year-old Robert Jenrick became Housing Secretary.
Arch-Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg was given his first Cabinet role and appointed Leader of the House of Commons.
Esther McVey was appointed Housing Minister with the PM's brother Jo Johnson becoming Universities Minister, a job he held under Theresa May before quitting to back a second referendum.
Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay kept his current job while Ben Wallace was made Defence Secretary.
James Cleverly was appointed Conservative party chairman while Brandon Lewis became Security Minister.
Robert Buckland was made Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary and Alok Sharma became International Development Secretary.
Late last night Oliver Dowden was appointed Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office.
Baroness Natalie Evans kept her role as Leader of the House of Lords while Geoffrey Cox remains as Attorney General.
Alun Cairns, Julian Smith and Alister Jack were named as Welsh, Northern Ireland and Scottish Secretaries.
Rishi Sunak became Chief Secretary to the Treasury, while Kwasi Kwarteng was appointed a minister at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
37
MOST READ IN POLITICS
This morning Mr Johnson made his final Cabinet appointment with ally Jake Berry being made Northern Powerhouse Minister.
In total 33 ministers have the right to attend Cabinet - four more than under Mrs May.
The Cabinet is now so large officials had to drag out an extra table extension to ensure everyone there could fit around it.
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
37
Sajid Javid appointed Chancellor, Priti Patel Home Secretary and Dominic Raab Foreign Secretary as new PM Boris Johnson forms cabinet
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online politics team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours
Topics