MPs trying to block no-deal Brexit make it more likely, Boris Johnson says

‘If we stop the UK from leaving on October 31, it will do lasting damage to people’s trust in politics,’ the PM said

Opposition MPs and some Conservative lawmakers have said they want to legislate to prevent a no-deal Brexit

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:30pm, 30 Aug 2019Updated: 9:34pm, 30 Aug 2019

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday warned any attempt by MPs next week to stop Brexit or delay it beyond October 31 would do “lasting damage” to public trust in politics.

Johnson said Britons had decided to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum and MPs had promised multiple times to uphold that decision.

“If we stop the UK from leaving on October 31, if that is what parliamentarians end up doing, it will do lasting damage to people’s trust in politics,” he told Sky News television.

“It will do lasting and catastrophic damage to the major parties in this country. This political generation won’t be forgiven for failing to honour that promise.”

Opposition MPs and some lawmakers from Johnson’s own Conservatives have said they want to legislate to prevent a no-deal Brexit, which the government’s own assessment warns could cause food, fuel and medicine shortages.

But Johnson said that preparing for a no-deal Brexit would allow the government to clinch an agreement with Brussels.

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