Boris Johnson promises the “beginning of a new golden age”

Boris Johnson has promised the “beginning of a new golden age”, as he makes a first Commons statement as PM.

Speaking to MPs, Boris Johnson said his government would throw itself into Brexit negotiations with energy.

He said other arrangements for the Northern Ireland backstop were “perfectly compatible with the Belfast Agreement to which we are, of course, steadfastly committed”.

He said Michael Gove would make plans for a no-deal Brexit a “top priority”.

He also assured EU citizens they would have “absolute certainty” of their right to live and remain in the UK.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn responded to the statement saying: “The country is deeply worried the new prime minister overestimates himself.

He said Johnson inherits “a country that has been held back by austerity”.

On Thursday, Johnson addressed his cabinet for the first time as prime minister.

Boris Johnson told the cabinet they had “a momentous task ahead”, as he repeated his commitment for the UK to leave the EU on 31 October.

Via BBC