British PM Boris Johnson rules out election, says Brexit a ‘massive economic opportunity’

The new leader promised to step up negotiations on post-Brexit trade deals and set up free ports to boost the economy

Johnson said he was willing to engage with EU partners but only if the backstop clause was removed from the divorce agreement

Reading Time:2 minutes

Published: 8:45pm, 27 Jul 2019Updated: 8:45pm, 27 Jul 2019

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday said Brexit was a “massive economic opportunity” but had been treated under his predecessor Theresa May as “an impending adverse weather event”.

In a speech in Manchester where he pledged new investment in Leave-voting areas, Johnson promised to step up negotiations on post-Brexit trade deals and set up free ports to boost the economy.

“When people voted to leave the European Union, they were not just voting against Brussels, they were voting against London too,” he said.

Johnson promised to give more powers to local communities, as well as boost broadband and transport infrastructure in a speech focused on domestic issues.

“Taking back control does not just apply to Westminster regaining sovereignty from the EU, it means our cities and counties and towns becoming more self governing,” he said.

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