Editorial | Johnson must silence doubters and resolve impasse over Brexit
- Britain’s new leader needs to inject new energy into a government that has been bogged down by country’s planned departure from European Union
Boris Johnson has achieved his long-held ambition to become Britain’s prime minister. His move into Downing Street followed a widely predicted win in the Conservative Party’s leadership race. Johnson responded in his own characteristic style, making jokes and pledging to bring a new “can-do” spirit to a country wracked by divisions over Brexit. But he faces daunting challenges and doubts about whether, at this time of crisis, he is the right man for the job.
It is to be hoped that Britain’s new leader can, as he has promised, inject new energy into a government that had become bogged down by Brexit. He has adopted a “do or die” approach to this complex and seemingly intractable problem, promising that Britain will leave the European Union by the October 31 deadline. This will happen, he says, with or without a deal, but it is difficult to see how it will be achieved.
The EU has said it will not make changes to the agreement it struck with Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May. That deal failed to secure the approval of parliament, and Johnson will now seek to negotiate a new one. The chances of him succeeding are slim. He has promised Britain will leave without a deal, if a new one is not agreed by the deadline.
But that, too, may prove beyond him. Leaving without a deal could have catastrophic consequences for Britain’s economy and risks chaos. Opponents are already plotting to ensure parliament will be able to block it. If that happens, there will be deadlock and a need for yet another extension of the Brexit deadline. Johnson could find himself in the same unenviable position as May.