EXTINCTION REBELLION
Boris Johnson warns Tory Remainers are driving party to ‘extinction’ by blocking Brexit with rebel plot
BORIS Johnson today warned Tory Remainers they are driving the Conservatives towards "extinction" if they block attempts to deliver Brexit.
The would-be next PM hit out at attempts by a pro-EU cabal to stop No Deal by taking cash away from Government departments.
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Speaking to Tory members at a hustings event in Exeter, BoJo blasted: "People have different views about this question - but I think we're coming together now as a party that we're facing down the barrel of electoral extinction unless we get this over the line.
"I think that is concentrating the minds of colleagues."
He again refused to rule out suspending Parliament to push through a No Deal but insisted he's "not remotely attracted" to the idea.
But Jeremy Hunt claimed Mr Johnson's plan would see the Tories "crucified" because it would lead to a General Election BEFORE Brexit is delivered with Jeremy Corbyn sneaking into No10.
As the two rivals ramped up the charm offensive to party activists:
- Boris denied calling the French "turds"; over Brexit
- He revealed he's lost a stone in recent months but admitted the leadership campaign has seen him pile the pounds back on
- Team Hunt slammed BoJo for "getting facts wrong" and dubbed him a "circus act"
- Mr Johnson hit out at Vladimir Putin, vowing to stop him destroying the West
- The frontrunner was said to have offered Sajid Javid a job as Chancellor
- A new poll found the public prefers Mr Hunt to Boris - but Tory voters like Mr Johnson more
Asked at the hustings if he would "prorogue" Parliament - shutting the Commons down so Remainers can't vote down a No Deal Brexit - Boris refused to rule the idea out.
He said: "When it comes to weird devices such as prorogation I am certainly not attracted.
"There are all sorts of things that remain on the table but it’s a big and conspicuous table. But I am not remotely attracted to that kind of device, that kind of fiat by executive."
Mr Hunt insisted BoJo's strategy would make Brexit LESS likely to happen because it would provoke a huge backlash from rebel MPs.
He said: "Boris' and my position on this is not actually very different, we both want to get out on October 31.
"If you make it an absolutely hard deadline and then Parliament stops you, then you have to have a General Election to change Parliament and I won't do that.
"We would be crucified if we had a General Election before we leave the European Union. And if you have Corbyn in Downing Street, the one thing you’ll never have is Brexit."
BoJo insisted he is the man to unite the party despite taking an increasingly tough Brexit stance which risks alienating Remain-backing MPs.
He told the crowd: "I commanded a couple of weeks ago, much to the surprise of the pundits, the support of more than half the parliamentary party. I don't think people forecast that result.
"They're coming together... because they want to get this thing done and then they want to deliver that modern progressive agenda."
Last night controversy broke out after it was claimed Mr Johnson called the French "turds" when he was Foreign Secretary.
We're facing down the barrel of electoral extinction unless we get this over the line
Boris Johnson
The comment was reportedly removed from a BBC documentary at the request of the Foreign Office.
Asked if he'd insulted France, Boris today quipped "Pas du tout" - French for "Not at all".
He later hinted it may have been briefed out by his enemies, saying: "I have no recollection of this comment but I noticed that it is not very well-sourced, this story."
The No10 frontrunner also took aim at Russian leader Putin for claiming that the liberal order is now dying.
He : "Vladimir Putin will be proved wrong by history - liberalism will continue to triumph."
Mr Johnson spoke out against Government plans - first revealed by The Sun - to slap a new tax on milkshakes.
He said: "I am very, very reluctant to impose new taxes disproportionately on those on low incomes. A new tax on milkshake tax seems to me to clobber those who can least afford it."
In a reference to the recent spate of ";milkshaking" of right-wing figures, BoJo joked: "Do you think that's to discourage people from throwing milkshakes at politicians?"
He revealed he's lost a stone as part of his makeover since dating girlfriend Carrie Symonds, going down to 15.5st from 16.5st - but admitted, "The last time I looked it's gone up again."
Mr Johnson also denied that he is "frit" because he refuses to debate Mr Hunt directly, saying: "One of the important things is as Conservatives not to spend too much time tearing great lumps out of each other.
"I'm doing at least two head-to-head debates which is more than enough to glut the appetite."
Mr Johnson's father Stanley and Mr Hunt's sister made today's hustings a family affair as they turned up to cheer their relatives.
Boris Johnson says he has 'no recollection' as he's asked if he really called the French 'turds'
'CIRCUS ACT'
Mr Hunt and his allies have taken an increasingly punchy stance towards Boris in a bid to dent his massive lead among Tory activists.
Last night the Foreign Secretary published an open letter slamming BoJo's Brexit policy, which includes negotiating a trade deal during the two-year transition period.
He blasted: "We must be careful to face the facts as we find them. Will you be straight with people that No Deal means no implementation period?"
Mr Hunt added: "Over the past few days you have got some important facts wrong.
"I believe it is now more vital than ever that we conduct head-to-head debate this week before ballot papers go out, so party members can make up their minds if you - and indeed I - understand the detail on these crucial issues."
We would be crucified if we had a General Election before we leave the EU
Jeremy Hunt
His supporter Sir Alan Duncan told the BBC today: "You can have a circus act or a really serious person who does do detail and who is respected in other countries."
But during the hustings the Foreign Secretary lavished praise on his rival saying he has "changed the course of our history through his leadership of the Leave campaign".
And he defended Mr Johnson's right to a private life despite speculation over his relationship with Carrie, saying: "It demeans that competition if we start having huge discussions about people's private lives, and I think we should stick to the issues facing this country."
that Boris has already offered Sajid Javid, who came fourth in the leadership race, the key job of Chancellor if he becomes PM.
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But at the hustings Mr Johnson said: "One of the things I’m discovering is people want to project onto us and our agenda all sorts of things that are desirable, including the possibility they should have a job.
"Nobody has been offered a job nor should that be right."
He even refused to commit to giving Mr Hunt a top job, saying: "Anything I say now about the future personnel would be counted as measuring the curtains."
BoJo last night rolled out his plan to rescue Britain's struggling high streets by cutting planning red tape, promoting free cash machines and ploughing more cash into local areas.
In response, Mr Hunt said he would take 90 per cent of high street firms out of business rates, saying: "As a businessmen I think business rates are absolutely crippling."
And he pledged to raise the threshold for paying national insurance to £12,000, which would provide a tax cut for millions of lower-paid Brits.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
A new YouGov poll found the British public would rather see Mr Hunt enter No10 than Boris, by 41 per cent to 29.
But Mr Johnson is ahead among Tory voters, with 48 per cent saying he should be the next Prime Minister.
A Hunt campaign source said: "Jeremy remains the underdog but this shows we've got the momentum. He's clearly the candidate best trusted to beat Corbyn."
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Boris Johnson is asked about The Sun’s story on milkshake sugar tax
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