UK Foreign minister asks the lawmakers not to abandon Brexit

London, July 19: Former UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has asked fellow lawmakers not to abandon Brexit, urging them to remember the initial enthusiasm surrounding a complete break from the European Union.

 

In remarks to the House of Commons, Johnson criticised Prime Minister Theresa May's plans for exiting the EU, describing it as a clean departure in name only. He said, Britons should be great independent actors on the world stage, not rule takers. Johson said, it is not too late to save Brexit.

May's government published a white paper last week with long-awaited proposals for Britain's relations with the EU after it leaves the bloc next year. The document proposes keeping Britain and the EU in a free market for goods, with a more distant relationship for services.

The plan has infuriated Brexit supporters, who think sticking close to the bloc would limit Britain's ability to strike new trade deals around the world.

Johnson and Brexit Secretary David Davis both quit the government in protest and Ms May has been struggling to quell rebellions within her own ranks ever since.