'Boris not bluffing' Anna Soubry admits Prime Minister's Brexit plans are real deal for UK

The former Conservative Party MP was forced to concede Boris Johnson is likely to deliver on his no deal Brexit pledge due to his conviction to quit the European Union. Anna Soubry, the leader of anti-Brexit The Independent Group for Change, argued the Prime Minister had “absolutely decided” the UK must leave the bloc on October 31 despite the potential risks to the UK. Asked whether she believes Mr Johnson has been pretending about his commitment, Ms Soubry told BBC Radio 5 Live: “If that were to be the case, and I don’t believe it is, you do not play with the future of this country in that disgraceful way.

“This is not some Eaton debating society, this is not a sixth form game. This is the real job and future prospects of our country, and notable our children and our grandchildren.

“I don’t think he is playing a game of bluff. I think he has absolutely decided that we are leaving come what matter, do or die as he said, at the end of October.”

Ms Soubry also suggested the appointment of key Brexiteer figures within his Cabinet further pointed at Mr Johnson’s willingness to revert to a no deal Brexit if he should fail to convince the EU to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement.

The Prime Minister proceeded to change the majority of Cabinet members who served under his predecessor to surround himself with colleagues willing to back his plans.

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Ms Soubry continued: “He’s got every single Government minister to sign his pledge, not literally, that they all had to agree that they will back him 100 percent on our leaving the European Union, deal or no deal, on October 31.

“If you look at who he has put into Government, then people like Priti Patel wouldn’t have gone in there unless she absolutely believes that we are going to be in a position to leave on October 31, deal or no deal.”

Outspoken Brexiteer Priti Patel returned to the frontbench last week to serve as Home Secretary. Colleague Dominic Raab also made his way back into Government as Foreign Secretary after stepping down in October to protest the withdrawal agreement Theresa May had negotiated with the European Union.

The Prime Minister announced on Monday he will not attend meetings with the EU until their negotiators agree to reopen discussions on the divorce deal. 

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister has been setting out to European leaders the position that the withdrawal agreement with the backstop has not been able to pass Parliament on the three occasions it was put in front of Parliament. Therefore it needs to change.

“The Prime Minister would be happy to sit down when that position changes. But he is making it clear to everybody he speaks to that that needs to happen.”

During his first visit to Scotland, Mr Johnson has insisted the British Government will secure a Brexit deal despite ramping up preparations to leave the EU without one.

The Prime Minister also said there is “a very good chance we can get a deal” but added contingency plans to leave without an agreement are being made “with growing confidence.”

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