Boris blasts Brexit plan but doesn't threaten leadership challenge

British Prime Minister Theresa May with then British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson. Photo / AP file

Boris Johnson blasted Prime Minister Theresa May's compromise plan for Britain's exit from the European Union in a resignation speech in Parliament, claiming her proposal would leave Britain in "miserable, permanent limbo."

Johnson, a rival of May's who quit as Foreign Secretary last week, urged the Prime Minister to push for a "strong, independent, self-governing Britain."

"It is not too late to save Brexit. We have time in these negotiations. We have changed tack once and we can change again," he said.

It is rare for ministers to deliver such a speech in Parliament.

Johnson was a leading Brexiteer in the 2016 EU referendum. He was also the face of Vote Leave - the official pro-Brexit campaign group that was recently fined for breaking electoral law by overspending almost US$600,000.

When Johnson announced his intent to speak, some commentators wondered if his address might be something akin to the 1990 resignation speech by Geoffrey Howe that preceded the downfall of Margaret Thatcher as prime minister.

In the end, Johnson's speech didn't appear to be the doomsday speech for May that some had feared. But it did underscore how bitterly divided Parliament is over Brexit and the type of relationship Britain wants with the EU after it leaves the bloc in March.

Johnson didn't attack May directly - he noted her "courage and resilience." His remarks are nonetheless a headache for the British Conservative leader who is trying to rally support for her Brexit plan, which would see Britain remain closely aligned with the EU on trade rules for goods (though not services). Johnson said that May's plan would mean that Britain would have "much less scope" to strike free trade deals around the world.

The latest squabbling over Brexit has renewed speculation about a possible leadership challenge for May, who has had a particularly rough few weeks with high-profile resignations, knife-edge votes in the House of Commons, and criticism of her Brexit plans from both those who want to remain in the EU and those who want to leave.

Boris Johnson's joke-free pitch to MPs https://t.co/ONV0KC08G0

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) July 18, 2018

But it's unclear who would replace her. Johnson still has a star quality in some circles, yet he's not as popular as he once was. He didn't signal an imminent leadership challenge or no-confidence vote today.

During his speech, Johnson repeatedly praised May for her remarks at Lancaster House in early 2017, when she said that Britain would seek a clean break from the EU.

Johnson said that since then, Britain had "dithered" and "burned through negotiating capital" and allowed the Northern Irish border issue "to become so politically charged as to dominate the debate."

In the past 18 months, said Johnson, "it is as though a fog of self-doubt has descended."

A second Brexit referendum is back in play https://t.co/bJlFNCOtsv

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) July 18, 2018

Taoiseach warns hard Brexit grounds international flights from UK:

“If they want their planes to fly over our skies, they would need to take that into account. You can’t have your cake and eat it. You can’t take back your waters and then expect to take back other people’s sky.” pic.twitter.com/9wS6sREAlL

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) July 18, 2018

Why won't I accept soft Brexit?
▪️I want to keep our influence in Europe
▪️I don't want to have less control than EU countries
▪️I don't want another 10yrs of debates on lost sovereignty
▪️I want to us able to focus on fixing the UK problems that made people vote Brexit

— Femi (@Femi_Sorry) July 18, 2018

Pharmacists preparing to stockpile medicines and medical supplies for no-deal Brexit https://t.co/uLFzveF58J

— SkyNews (@SkyNews) July 18, 2018

Conservative MP @Anna_Soubry says government's Brexit White Paper "is in tatters" because @Jacob_Rees_Mogg and a small cabal of MPs are running the country #r4today pic.twitter.com/cns3pItetH

— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) July 18, 2018

Andrea Jenkyns to @theresa_may: At what point was it decided that Brexit meant Remain? pic.twitter.com/fAyGVM8LLb

— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) July 18, 2018