Boris Johnson to the EU: We will be packing our bags and walking out on 31 October
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Boris Johnson says the UK will be “walking out” of the EU in 25 days without a deal if Brussels does not compromise.
His words come after the European Commission called off weekend talks, describing the prime minister’s latest proposals as not providing a “basis for concluding an agreement”.
Writing in the Sun on Sunday and the Sunday Express, Mr Johnson said: “After decades of campaigning, three years of arguments and seemingly endless months of pointless delay, it is now just 25 days until the UK’s membership of the European Union comes to an end.
“We will be packing our bags and walking out on 31 October. The only question is whether Brussels cheerily waves us off with a mutually agreeable deal, or whether we will be forced to head off on our own.”
Mr Johnson said the proposals put to Brussels would get rid of the “anti-democratic backstop”, avoid infrastructure or checks at the Irish border, “respect” the Northern Ireland peace process and Good Friday agreement, and give farmers and businesses the assurances they need.
The proposals would also get the UK out of the EU and its customs union, “allowing us to take back control of our trade policy and do free trade deals with our friends around the world”, he said.
“The way I see it, the proposals published this week represent we in the UK jumping to the island in the middle of the river.
