{"id":644772,"date":"2019-06-12T10:23:57","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T10:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"
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Boris Johnson launches his campaign Wednesday to replace Theresa May as Britain\u2019s next leader, as lawmakers moved to stop him and other hardliners from delivering a \u201cno deal\u201d Brexit.<\/p>\n

The former foreign secretary is the favourite among 10 candidates to succeed May, who quit after failing to take Britain out of the European Union on schedule.<\/p>\n

May has delayed Brexit twice \u2014 most recently to October 31 \u2014 as she tried and failed to get her divorce deal through parliament.<\/p>\n

Johnson, a leading figure in the 2016 referendum vote to leave, has said he will deliver on the result with or without a deal with Brussels.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter three years and two missed deadlines, we must leave the EU on October 31,\u201d he said ahead of his official campaign launch.<\/p>\n

He warned that failure would see the ruling Conservatives lose at the next election to leftist leader Jeremy Corbyn\u2019s Labour party.<\/p>\n

\u201cDelay means defeat. Delay means Corbyn. Kick the can and we kick the bucket,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

However, opposition parties backed by some Conservatives are putting forward a motion in parliament\u2019s lower House of Commons to seek to block any attempt to leave the EU with no deal.<\/p>\n

They fear that severing ties overnight with Britain\u2019s biggest trading partner would bring huge economic disruption.<\/p>\n

In a repeat of moves earlier this year, the MPs will try to take control of the Commons timetable on June 25, which would allow them to introduce a law that might stop \u201cno deal\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Tory debate on Brexit has descended into the disturbing, ludicrous and reckless,\u201d said Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t be bystanders while the next prime minister forces through a no-deal without the consent of the British people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson has a chequered history, arguably known more for his gaffes and jokes than his achievements both as mayor of London and foreign minister.<\/p>\n

But he has a national presence, known across Britain just as Boris, and is seen as more charismatic than his rivals.<\/p>\n

He warned that Corbyn must not be allowed to win an election.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last time I faced an emanation of that Marxist cabal I defeated him when the Conservatives were 17 points behind in London,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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