Despite early assurances to the contrary, it was clear near the end of
Theresa May
’s premiership that she was not prepared to take the UK out of the EU without an agreed arrangement for the continuing relationship between the United Kingdom and the other 27 members of the European Union, in other words, a deal. Her problem was that Parliament was not prepared to accept the deal she had negotiated.
Since taking office on July 24, Prime Minister
Boris Johnson
has done everything he can think of to convince the world – and most importantly Brussels – that he is prepared to have his country leave without a deal if necessary. Among his more recent efforts along these lines was the letter he sent last Friday to all 400,000 UK civil servants. Today’s featured quote is taken from that letter. A more fulsome extract follows, including the opening compliment and the Brexit paragraphs.
FROM PRIME MINISTER JOHNSON’S LETTER TO THE CIVIL SERVICE
Dear colleagues,
After just a short time as Prime Minister it is already clear to me why the UK’s Civil Service is so highly regarded around the world, both for its expertise and its dedication to duty, and I very much look forward to working with all of you on the tasks that lie ahead. …
My approach to Brexit is simple, and I want you to be in no doubt about it. …
We must restore trust in our democracy, and fulfil the repeated promises of Parliament to the people, by coming out of the European Union on 31 October. We will be leaving on this date, whatever the circumstances.
I would very much prefer to leave with a deal – one that must abolish the anti-democratic Irish backstop, which has unacceptable consequences for our country.
But I recognise this may not happen. That is why preparing urgently and rapidly for the possibility of an exit without a deal will be my top priority, and it will be the top priority for the Civil Service too.
I know many of you have already done a great deal of hard work in mobilising to prepare for a No Deal scenario, so that we can leave on 31 October come what may.
Between now and then we must engage and communicate clearly with the British people about what our plans for taking back control mean, what people and businesses need to do, and the support we will provide.
On the same day, Friday, the 9th of August, Mr. Johnson told his senior advisers not to schedule any leave between now and the end of October. And press stories today are full of UK plans to cut back that country’s participation in EU meetings.