Johnson says UK government needs to spell out Brexit benefits
Updated: 2016-07-04 15:16
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||
LONDON - Ex-London mayor Boris Johnson, who shocked Britain last week when he decided not to stand to replace outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron, criticised the government on Monday for not having a positive plan to make a British exit from the EU work.
Johnson, who led the campaign to take Britain out of the European Union, said "hysteria" had gripped those who had supported staying in the bloc, and the government needed to explain the truth about the impact of Brexit.
"There is, among a section of the population, a kind of hysteria, a contagious mourning of the kind that I remember in 1997 after the death of (Diana) the Princess of Wales," Johnson wrote in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
"It was wrong of the Government to offer the public a binary choice on the EU without being willing - in the event that people voted Leave - to explain how this can be made to work in the interests of the UK and Europe. We cannot wait until mid-September, and a new PM."
The flamboyant and popular Johnson, one of the most prominent Brexit campaigners, had been expected to join the contest to be the new Conservative leader after Cameron announced he would quit following the referendum vote to leave the EU.
However, he pulled out when his ally, Justice Secretary Michael Gove, decided to run for the job himself, calling Johnson's abilities into question, which Johnson's supporters described as an act of Machiavellian treachery.
A new leader is expected to be in place by early September.
Johnson said fears about the impact of leaving the EU had been wildly overdone, saying the stock market had not collapsed and the emergency budget with spending cuts and tax rises had not materialised as finance minister and Remain supporter George Osborne had warned.
Conservative lawmaker Ben Wallace, who was running Johnson's campaign, said he thought Gove himself was unfit to be the leader himself, calling him a gossip.
"Michael seems to have an emotional need to gossip, particularly when drink is taken, as it all too often seemed to be," Wallace wrote in the Telegraph.
Related Stories
Brexit offers opportunity to country's auto sector, buyers 2016-07-04 11:16
Thousands march against Brexit in London 2016-07-04 09:33
Brexit effect eases, rebound likely 2016-07-04 09:25
Brexit offers opportunity to country's auto sector, buyers 2016-07-04 08:46
Brexit effect eases, rebound likely 2016-07-04 08:45
Today's Top News
Rome shows off cleaned up Colosseum
Thousands march against Brexit in London
China-UK ties to remain strong despite Brexit: envoy
Gove denies treachery as he pitches to be next PM
Theresa May among British PM hopefuls
Boris Johnson quits party leadership contest
UK parties head for leadership battles
Terrorist attack in Turkey reinforces need for unity
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Hollywood snaps up rock star's dog film |
Chinese people welcome dispossessed |
The can-do generation to the fore |
Riding the wave |
Leisure giants buoy cruise market |
She followed her heart |