Only the Tories can end the ‘Brexit groundhoggery’ says Boris Johnson as he pledges to unleash a green revolution once UK has left the EU in first major speech of his campaign
- Prime Minister will make his first major speech of the election campaign today
- Boris Johnson will say only his Conservatives can ‘end the Brexit groundhoggery’
- PM will also announce a series of environmental pledges for after UK leaves EU
- He will talk of planting a million trees and investment in electronic cars industry
- Set to say UK will harness science, innovation and tech to tackle climate change
Boris Johnson will today pledge to get Britain ‘out of the rut’ of the last three years by delivering Brexit and triggering a green revolution, in his first major speech of the election campaign.
The Prime Minister will hammer home his central message that only a Conservative majority can ‘end the Brexit groundhoggery’.
But he will also paint a picture of a brighter future, saying that delivering Brexit will allow the country to ‘unleash Britain’s potential’.
Boris Johnson, seen here in an internet video released yesterday, will make his first major speech of the election campaign today
In addition, Mr Johnson will call for a ‘clean energy revolution’ after Britain has left the EU. Talking at an electric vehicle plant in the West Midlands, he is set to announce fresh plans for boosting take-up across the country.
However, with a month to go until polling day, Mr Johnson will focus his message on the key Brexit choice facing voters.
Stirring stuff? Mr Johnson made a cup of tea during his party political broadcast last night
He will say: ‘The UK is admired and respected around the world but people are baffled by our debate on Brexit and they cannot understand how this great country can squander so much time and energy on this and how we can be so hesitant about our future.
‘If we can get a working majority we can get Parliament working for you, we can get out of the rut. We can end the groundhoggery of Brexit…’ The term refers to the 1993 film Groundhog Day in which the same thing happens day after day.
Mr Johnson went on: ‘We face a historic choice. At this election the country can either move forwards with policies that will deliver years of growth and prosperity or it can disappear into an intellectual cul-de-sac of far-Left Corbynism.’
The PM will also warn of the risk posed by a potential Labour-SNP coalition, which would hold second referendums on Brexit and Scottish independence.
But it is his eco-ambitions that are likely to generate most interest. The Prime Minister will tell his audience a Conservative government would ‘harness the power of science, innovation and technology to tackle climate change, spur economic growth and create high-skilled, high-wage jobs’.
Other green pledges include investing £1bn in the UK’s electric car industry, and planting a million trees in Northumberland.
Last night Mr Johnson featured in a quirky political broadcast in which he answered questions on everything from walking his dog to his favourite band.
The five-minute video shows him walking through the Tory Party’s campaign base in London and making himself a cup of tea.
It looked set to become a social media hit, with supporters and opponents re-posting it with comments. Many focused on how he left his tea bag in the cup, leading Mr Johnson to respond this ‘lets it brew and makes it stronger’. He also said that The Clash or Rolling Stones are his top band.