By Ben Kerrigan-
Prime minister Boris Johnson has urged Mps to support his Brexit plans which he says represents a compromise, and would be in the national interest.
The UK government has begun a period of negotiations aimed at a final agreement at an EU summit on 17 October in time for a scheduled exit 2 weeks later on October 31. Johnson urged Parliament to unite in support of his proposals for the sake of the country, as he said he had shown flexibility in his proposals which he also expects from the EU.
“This government has moved, our proposals do represent a compromise and I hope that the House can now come together in the national interest, behind this new deal, to open a new chapter of friendship with our European neighbours and move on with our domestic priorities, including education, infrastructure and our NHS,” Mr Johnson said.
Included in the prime minister’s proposals is the replacement of the Irish border “backstop” in the existing withdrawal agreement with fresh arrangements that include technological controls some distance away from the boarder.
CHANCE
“I believe this is our chance and their chance to get a deal,” Mr Johnson told MPs. He said the plan would mean there was no need for checks or infrastructure between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Johnson told Mps that when he thinks of what the EU has achieved in the past the UK has shown “great flexibility in the interests of reaching an accommodation with our European friends”. He said:
”I do not for one moment resile from the fact that we have shown great flexibility in the interests of reaching an accommodation with our European friends and achieving the resolution for which we all yearn.
If our European neighbours choose not to show a corresponding willingness to reach a deal, then we shall have to leave on 31 October without an agreement, and we are ready to do so”.
Critics, in particular, Jeremy Corbyn, believe Johnson’s proposals are not workable and would damage the economy, but the prime minister disputes this. In any case, Johnson says he is willing to amend the proposals in time if better ideas on any aspects are received.