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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday said Brexit was a \u201cmassive economic opportunity\u201d but had been treated under his predecessor Theresa May as \u201can impending adverse weather event.\u201d\nIn a speech in Manchester where he pledged new investment in Leave-voting areas, Johnson promised to step up negotiations on post-Brexit trade deals and set up free ports to boost the economy.
\n\u201cWhen people voted to leave the European Union, they were not just voting against Brussels, they were voting against London too,\u201d he said.
\nJohnson promises to give more powers to local communities, as well as boost broadband and transport infrastructure in a speech focused on domestic issues.
\n\u201cTaking back control doesn\u2019t just apply to Westminster regaining sovereignty from the EU, it means our cities and counties and towns becoming more self governing,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cLeaving the EU is a massive economic opportunity to do things we\u2019ve not been allowed to do for decades,\u201d he said.
\nAsked about the prospect of Brexit negotiations, Johnson said he was willing to engage with EU partners but only if the backstop clause was removed from the current divorce agreement struck by May.
\nThe backstop seeks to ensure a free-flowing post-Brexit border between British Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state, in all eventualities.
\n\u201cThe approach of the UK government is not going to be disengaged or aloof or waiting for them to come to us, we are going to try to solve this problem,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cWe can\u2019t do it as long as that anti-democratic backstop, that backstop that seeks to divide our country, divide the UK, remains in place. We need to get it out and then we can make progress.\u201d<\/p>\n