Boris Johnson is on the cusp of unveiling his high-speed Brexit masterplan
BORIS Johnson will unveil his masterplan for a high-speed Brexit and warn EU chiefs: It’s Bo deal or no deal.
The Tory leadership favourite has been working for months on details for a “sensible” and “responsible” new withdrawal agreement.
It includes a ideas from a series of “listening” workshops with other MPs.
BoJo will step up his drive for the top job this week by revealing a list of top MPs endorsing him.
He hopes to get a third of the Parliamentary party on board behind him for the first round, which will all but guarantee him a place in the final head-to-head run off.
But Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd won’t be his running mate because he insists on leaving the EU by October 31.
Mr Johnson’s main focus will be to secure changes to the backstop - the fallback measure to maintain an open Irish border.
He believes he has found a formula that would avoid Britain being locked into the customs union.
'WE ARE NOT BLUFFING'
But if the EU won’t play ball he is prepared to leave without a deal on October 31.
He has told pals: “We have to let them know that this time we are not bluffing.”
The former Foreign Secretary insists it is not reckless to consider a swift no-deal departure - but says his deal is the best way forward for both sides.
He declared: “No one sensible would aim exclusively for a no deal outcome.
“But no one responsible would take no deal off the table.”
Mr Johnson has told colleagues that a Brexit believer in Downing Street showing he means business would bring stubborn EU chiefs back to the negotiating table.
Unveiling his plan, he will stress that he wants to have a “great relationship” with our friends and allies across Europe and he is convinced they want to reach a deal amicably, too.
A source close to BoJo said: “Boris has got a plan he thinks I’d acceptable to the EU and MPs.
“But he knows that removing no deal would destroy our only chance of getting a good deal.
“If you are trying to get a good price for a new motor, the last thing you do is tell the salesman you are definitely going to buy one and wouldnt walk away even from a bad deal.
“We have to show we are not bluffing and be 100 pc ready for no deal if the eu’s demands are unreasonable.”
Mr Johnson has told supporters his first priority will be to secure backing for his backstop exit mechanism.
It has been described as a “small compromise” and if the EU agree, he will move on to the next stage - securing a free trade agreement, which is where the “real negotiations” start.
The Sun on Sunday Says
BORIS Johnson says no one sensible would aim exclusively for a No Deal Brexit.
But no one responsible would take No Deal off the table.
The Sun on Sunday couldn’t have put it better.
The bookie’s favourite to become the next Prime Minister is preparing his own solution to the Irish border problem which torpedoed Theresa May’s deal.
If Boris does get the top job, he believes he has found a formula that would avoid Britain being locked into the customs union.
But the ex-Foreign Secretary knows he will only have leverage with blinkered EU leaders if they are convinced he will walk away.
Naturally, this has scared off Tory Remainers like rudderless Amber Rudd. These Europhile whingers long to delay Brexit again and again until it runs into the long grass for ever.
But the next leader of the Tory Party must win back the trust of bedrock voters who have deserted it in droves for the Brexit Party.
On Thursday, Nigel Farage could chalk up another ballot box shock with the election of the first Brexit Party MP in the Peterborough by-election.
Time is of the essence for the Tories and Boris knows it.
October 31 must be judgment day.
If we are going to beat Nigel Farage, our best weapon will be to deliver Brexit
But he is clear that the Halloween deadline for departure must be met.
A source said: “Not delivering Brexit on time has hugely damaged the people’s trust in our party - if we repeat this error the Tory party may never recover, which is why we have to leave on October 31 with a deal if possible but without one if necessary.
“If we are going to beat Nigel Farage, our best weapon will be to deliver Brexit.”
Mr Johnson is preparing to reveal his Brexit blueprint as rival challenger Andrea Leadsom unveils her own three-step delivery plan.
Writing in The Sun on Sunday, the ex-Commons Leader says she would start preparations for Britain’s departure the second she enters Number 10.
Gove: Jez PM 'fear'
MICHAEL Gove will set out his Brexit blueprint this week - seeking to avoid an election before leaving the EU.
The Tory leadership candidate says there is a “risk” of Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street if the UK’s exit isn’t secured as he launched his campaign video.
Boris Johnson remains favourite at 2/1 with Gove at 5/1 and Andrea Leadsom 7/1, according to Betfair Exchange.
Step one would be to get a citizens’ rights Bill through Parliament before the summer break to end uncertainty for all ex-pats Then she would properly prepare for our exit - reporting to MPs every fortnight - to give transparency and certainty to business.
Third step would be to call a summit of all 27 other EU member states in early September to manage Britain’s exit.
One MP said: “I feel a little more optimistic that the challengers in this race are coming up with new ideas to break the deadlock.
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