Politics

Boris Johnson kicks off snap UK tour and £1bn spending blitz for no-deal Brexit


Boris Johnson is set to announce a £1bn boost for no-deal planning this week despite saying there was just a “million to one chance” of leaving the EU in a chaotic departure. 

The new Prime Minister will today embark on a whirlwind tour to the four corners of the United Kingdom in a desperate bid to prevent the break-up of the Union as a result. 

It came as Downing Street announced that a team of pro-Brexit cabinet ministers will hold daily crisis meetings to prepare for a damaging no-deal departure.

The spending blitz includes one of the country’s “biggest ever” public information campaigns to make sure individuals and businesses are ready for any outcome.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove says the Government is “operating on the assumption” that Britain will leave the EU without a deal

 

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said the Government is “operating on the assumption” that Britain will leave the EU without a deal.

But Mr Johnson faces staunch opposition to his hardline Brexit plans from within his own party – as senior Tory MPs work cross-party to try to stop him.  

Ahead of his trip to Scotland today [Mon] Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson issued a defiant challenge to the PM: “I don’t think the Government should pursue a no-deal Brexit and, if it comes to it, I won’t support it.”

She warned that her party was free to pursue its own Brexit stance “independently of government”, signalling she is ready to defy the new PM less than a week into office.

Mr Johnson, deeply unpopular North of the Border, has been warned that he risks breaking up the UK if we crash out without a deal.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn warns he would do “everything” to prevent a No-deal Brexit, including tabling a no confidence motion in the Government

 

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn warned he would do “everything” to prevent it including tabling a no confidence motion in the Government.

But opponents of the PM’s hardline approach fear that “turbo-charging” no-deal preparations shows he is serious about that course, with all the risks it carries for the economy and the Union. 

They believe he is trying to shore up support for no-deal across the country to put pressure on rebel MPs – and prove to the EU he is serious about leaving on October 31 “no ifs or buts’.

It also dramatically heightens the chances of the new PM suspending Parliament or calling a snap election to force it through. 

The previous Government had already allocated more than £4bn on getting the country ready for a chaotic departure.

New Chancellor Sajid Javid revealed yesterday he had already tasked Treasury officials with finding which areas needed more cash. 

“And next week I will be announcing significant extra funding to do just that,” he added.

Government sources indicated this would be at least £1bn.  

No 10 revealed that senior ministers – led by Michael Gove – will meet daily from Tuesday in the COBRA room where the Government holds its emergency planning meetings.

Treasury Minister Rishi Sunak will be present at the daily meetings to make sure his department “is a motor for delivering Brexit, not the anchor”

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This ‘daily operations committee’ will oversee all Government preparation for leaving – with actions, deadlines and responsibility flashed up on big screens.

Treasury minister Rishi Sunak will be present to make sure his department “is a motor for delivering Brexit, not the anchor”, No 10 sources said.

In a Cabinet call yesterday, Mr Gove told ministers that the committee would “kick important issues up” to either Mr Johnson or his “war cabinet” of six key Brexiteer ministers who all support no-deal. 

The PM, who will also travel to Wales and Northern Ireland over the next two days, will today announce a new £300m ‘growth deal’ for the other three nations of the UK.

But he was accused of hypocrisy for pursuing a no-deal course at the same time, which would do huge damage to the economy.





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