In a few days’ time about 160,000 members of Britain’s Conservative Party – largely white, male and in their late fifties – will elect a new party leader and so appoint Britain’s next Prime Minister. This 0.3 per cent of the country’s electorate must choose between two men, both of whom now appear determined to lead the UK into a no deal Brexit after October 31 and to an uncertain future.
Speaking a few days ago, Boris Johnson, the candidate widely expected to become Prime Minister, and his opponent, the present UK Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, laid down new red lines.
Addressing party members, both observed that they would not agree to the EU 27’s position on the Northern Ireland border with the Irish Republic. Mr Johnson said that he would not accept the existing language contained in the withdrawal treaty over which the UK Parliament is deadlocked. He proposed instead that this aspect be abandoned. His plan, he said, is to hold fresh talks with the EU 27 but if there is no new agreement he will just leave.
