UK's New Prime Minister Boris Johnson Promises UK Will Leave EU By October 31

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Newly-elected UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the people of Britain in his first official speech that his country will - "do or die" - definitely leave the European Union by October 31.

Via Reuters:

Johnson, who has been hailed by U.S. President Donald Trump as Britain’s Trump, is sending the strongest message yet to the EU that he will be taking a distinctly tougher approach to negotiating the Brexit divorce deal.

He enters Downing Street at one of the most perilous junctures in post-World War Two British history - the United Kingdom is divided over Brexit and weakened by the three-year political crisis that has gripped it since the 2016 referendum.

“We are going to fulfill the repeated promises of parliament to the people and come out of the EU on October 31, no ifs or buts,” Johnson, 55, said after arriving at his new residence, No.10 Downing Street.

“We can do a deal without checks at the Irish border,” Johnson said, watched by his girlfriend Carrie Symonds and his staff. “It is of course vital at the same time that we prepare for the remote possibility that Brussels refuses any further to negotiate and we are forced to come out with no deal.”

One of Britain’s most prominent Brexit campaigners, Johnson has repeatedly pledged to leave the EU by Oct. 31 - “do or die” - and to inject a new optimism and energy into the divorce, which he argues will bring a host of opportunities.

London Mayor Boris Johnson on marriage equality

"The key thing about faith – at least in this country – is that you can choose whether to believe or not, and you can pretty much choose how to observe your faith. But you can’t (really) choose where you are born, or the laws under which you grow up whether you are gay or straight.

And marriage is an ancient human institution that is far older than any of the religions that are practised today. It may well be beloved by God, but no religion has ever had a monopoly on marriage. [snip]

Marriage is an institution that can bring great happiness. It is a formal acknowledgment, by society, of the love and bond that can exist between human beings. It provides stability and comfort. Far from dying out, marriage is on the increase – especially in London.  Why on earth would we deny it to anyone?"

- London Mayor Boris Johnson, writing for the Independent.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, supports marriage equality