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Boris Johnson: Price of quitting EU is 'lower than ever' | Boris Johnson: Price of quitting EU is 'lower than ever' |
(34 minutes later) | |
The price of quitting the European Union is "lower than it's ever been", Boris Johnson has claimed. | The price of quitting the European Union is "lower than it's ever been", Boris Johnson has claimed. |
Speaking in Japan, the London Mayor and Conservative MP refused to rule out spearheading the 'Out' campaign. | Speaking in Japan, the London Mayor and Conservative MP refused to rule out spearheading the 'Out' campaign. |
But he argued it was better for the UK to stay in a reformed EU, saying he backed David Cameron in his efforts to secure change ahead of the referendum. | But he argued it was better for the UK to stay in a reformed EU, saying he backed David Cameron in his efforts to secure change ahead of the referendum. |
Mr Johnson's comments come on the day the In campaign, Britain Stronger in Europe, launched its campaign. | Mr Johnson's comments come on the day the In campaign, Britain Stronger in Europe, launched its campaign. |
He also indicated the prime minister would be setting out more details about Britain's attempts to renegotiate its terms of membership of the EU "in the next few weeks". | |
'Fantastic negotiator' | 'Fantastic negotiator' |
A date has not been set for the referendum, but Mr Cameron has promised to hold the in-out vote by the end of 2017 at the latest. | A date has not been set for the referendum, but Mr Cameron has promised to hold the in-out vote by the end of 2017 at the latest. |
During a visit to Osaka in Japan, Mr Johnson was asked where he stood on Britain's in-out referendum on EU membership. | During a visit to Osaka in Japan, Mr Johnson was asked where he stood on Britain's in-out referendum on EU membership. |
"I think I am exactly where the prime minister is and, I think, actually a huge number of the proportion of the British public. | "I think I am exactly where the prime minister is and, I think, actually a huge number of the proportion of the British public. |
"We want, in an ideal world, to stay in a reformed European Union but I think the price of getting out is lower than it's ever been. It's better for us to stay in, but to stay in a reformed EU. That's where I am," he said. | "We want, in an ideal world, to stay in a reformed European Union but I think the price of getting out is lower than it's ever been. It's better for us to stay in, but to stay in a reformed EU. That's where I am," he said. |
The MP, who is touted as a potential future Conservative leader, said he had "great faith" in Mr Cameron's negotiations to secure EU reform, describing him as "a fantastic bridge player [and] negotiator". | The MP, who is touted as a potential future Conservative leader, said he had "great faith" in Mr Cameron's negotiations to secure EU reform, describing him as "a fantastic bridge player [and] negotiator". |
"In our party we're backing the prime minister. I think he's got every chance of getting a good deal," he said. | "In our party we're backing the prime minister. I think he's got every chance of getting a good deal," he said. |
But Mr Johnson also cautioned that it was sensible not to rule out walking away from the table in the negotiations. | But Mr Johnson also cautioned that it was sensible not to rule out walking away from the table in the negotiations. |
"You have to wait and see what the deal is going to be. But I've got great faith in the prime minister," he said. | "You have to wait and see what the deal is going to be. But I've got great faith in the prime minister," he said. |
On Sunday, UKIP leader Nigel Farage said it was possible that Mr Johnson could head the Leave.EU campaign, but the London mayor told the BBC he was unaware of the Eurosceptic's overtures. | On Sunday, UKIP leader Nigel Farage said it was possible that Mr Johnson could head the Leave.EU campaign, but the London mayor told the BBC he was unaware of the Eurosceptic's overtures. |
"News of this pronouncement has not detonated over [Japan] like a thunderclap. I don't know about these invitations," he said. | "News of this pronouncement has not detonated over [Japan] like a thunderclap. I don't know about these invitations," he said. |
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