Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
International

New UK PM Johnson Promises Start Of 'Golden Age'

Darpan News Desk IANS, 25 Jul, 2019 08:43 PM

    Boris Johnson on Thursday promised the "beginning of a new golden age", as he made his first Commons statement as the Prime Minister and kicked off his political agenda with a government freshly stocked with more ardent pro-Brexit Ministers.


    Speaking to MPs, Johnson said his government would throw itself into Brexit negotiations with energy and assured EU citizens living in the UK that they would have "absolute certainty" of their right to live and remain in the country.


    On Brexit, he told MPs that Minister Michael Gove would make planning for a no-deal Brexit a "top priority", the BBC reported.


    Despite emphasizing the importance of preparing for a no deal, Johnson said he would "much prefer" to leave the EU with a deal and added that he will work "flat out to make it happen".


    However he told MPs the withdrawal agreement - negotiated by Theresa May with the EU - was "unacceptable to this Parliament and to this country".


    One of the controversial parts of the withdrawal agreement is the Northern Ireland backstop -- a mechanism to avoid physical checks on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.


    Johnson said other arrangements for the backstop were "perfectly compatible" with the Good Friday Agreement which which ended decades of strife in Northern Ireland between pro-British unionists and Irish nationalists.


    On immigration, he told MPs he wanted to change the system and would be asking the Migration Advisory Committee to come up with new proposals.


    The former London Mayor also addressed his Cabinet for the first time as Prime Minister. He told the Cabinet they had "a momentous task ahead", as he repeated his commitment for the UK to leave the EU on October 31.


    He took residence at Downing Street after two-thirds of the roughly 160,000 Conservative Party members voted for him to lead the party, taking over from Theresa May, who left the post due to her inability to command a parliamentary majority in her quest to pass the Brexit withdrawal bill, her flagship policy.


    Although some of May's Ministers held onto their jobs, and others took on new titles, Johnson took care to curate his Cabinet in line with his harsher stance on the UK's withdrawal from the EU.


    Former banker Sajid Javid moved from the Home Office to become Chancellor of the Exchequer, taking over from Phillip Hammond, who opted to resign rather than serve under Johnson.


    Dominic Raab, a former Brexit Secretary appointed by May who went on to resign in opposition to the withdrawal deal, becomes Foreign Secretary, taking over as the country's top diplomat from Jeremy Hunt.


    Priti Patel, one of the key figures in Vote Leave who was fired by May for holding undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials, takes on the role of Home Secretary.


    Gavin Williamson, who was also fired by May for leaking information regarding the government's position on Chinese firm Huawei's plan to roll out 5G, is the new Education Secretary.


    Liam Fox was sacked as International Trade Secretary to be replaced by Liz Truss. Former Environment Secretary Michael Gove is now the Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster, a Ministerial post without a portfolio.


    Notably, Dominic Cummings, a campaign director for Vote Leave often credited coming up with the slogan "let's take back control" which was famously painted on the side of a red bus erroneously suggesting the UK spent 350 million pounds a week to be a member of the EU, became Johnson's senior policy advisor.

     

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Sharjah Issues First Golden Card Visa To Indian Expat Businessman Lalu Samuel

    Sharjahs first Golden Card visa was issued to an Indian expat businessman, as part of the permanent residency system tailored for investors.

    Sharjah Issues First Golden Card Visa To Indian Expat Businessman Lalu Samuel

    Left Unattended, Pakistan's 'Heaviest' Man Noorul Hassan Dies In Lahore Hospital

    Pakistan's heaviest man, who weighed over 330 kg and recently underwent a successful liposuction surgery, died after he was left unattended due to a commotion in the intensive care unit.  

    Left Unattended, Pakistan's 'Heaviest' Man Noorul Hassan Dies In Lahore Hospital

    Trump Son-In-Law Among Key Leaders To Address India-Focused Meet In US

    The move comes close on the heels of the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump in Japan last month.  

    Trump Son-In-Law Among Key Leaders To Address India-Focused Meet In US

    Swraj Paul Donates Million Pounds For London Zoo Reserve In Son Angad Paul's Memory

    Leading British Indian entrepreneur and parliamentarian Lord Swraj Paul has announced 1 million pounds donation to the London Zoo for a major new project that will lead to creation of the Angad Paul African Reserve in memory of his late son.

    Swraj Paul Donates Million Pounds For London Zoo Reserve In Son Angad Paul's Memory

    India-Origin Democratic Senator Kamala Harris Raises Usd 23 Million

    California’s powerful India-origin Democratic Senator Kamala Harris has raised more than USD 23 million since she announced her presidential bid in January.

    India-Origin Democratic Senator Kamala Harris Raises Usd 23 Million

    Top Indian-Origin Woman Police Officer Parm Sandhu Sues Scotland Yard Over Racism

    Parm Sandhu, currently serving as Temporary Chief Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police, claims she was denied promotions and opportunities at work due to her race and gender.

    Top Indian-Origin Woman Police Officer Parm Sandhu Sues Scotland Yard Over Racism