In his long-awaited speech at the annual conference of the British Conservative Party, former Foreign Minister Boris Johnson sharply pulled out the so-called ‘Checkers’ plan by Prime Minister Theresa May. “Voter deception”, says Johnson, who asks for support for his original plan.
Six months before the UK leaves the EU, Mays position as party leader is more than ever under pressure due to the criticism of her Brexit plan, both in her own country and in Brussels. Johnson is one of her most outspoken critics. Today he reaped applause when he said May should drop her Checkers plan.
“Do not assume them when they say there is no alternative,” Johnson said to the hundreds of Conservatives present. “This is the time to drop Checkers, and if we cheat the electorate – and Checkers is cheating – we will increase the feeling of mistrust.”
The former minister asks May to stick to its “original plan”, which means that the United Kingdom completely abandons the European customs union and the internal market.
For the time being, May does not seem to have the intention of giving up her Checkers plan. But the image she tried to outline during the conference of the unity within her party was shattered after Johnson’s speech.
To the extent that some in Johnson’s speech see a job application to the leadership of the Conservative Party. “Turns out there is a plan that is Boris”, tweeted Conservative Representative James Duddridge.
Political analyst of BBC Laura Kuenssberg speaks of an “undisguised throw to leadership by Johnson, right in the heart of a conference where May should be going”.
Johnson did not say in his speech that he would challenge May. On the contrary, he believes that the party should support Mays’ previous Brexit plan, and said that one of the few correct predictions from the Ministry of Finance was that he would not be a prime minister.
Johnson also voiced his speech at the Labor opposition and a possible government under Labor President Jeremy Corbyn.