Boris Johnson is running an outside / in campaign, I say in The Sun this morning.. If he’s to get the UK out of the EU by October 31st—the defining pledge of his leadership bid—then he’s got to get the public to put pressure on parliament.
The new Prime Minister needs MPs to think that they’ll pay an electoral price for standing in his way. That’s why he is in full campaign mode: firing out popular policies, touring the country and making big speeches.
A sizable poll bounce would mean that MPs would be far less likely to try and throw obstacles in Boris Johnson’s way. After all, what’s the point in bringing down the government and forcing a general election if that only results in Boris coming back stronger: with a majority and a personal mandate.
Only if it is clear that parliament won’t block no deal or bring down the government will the EU consider listening to Boris Johnson.
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