Boris Johnson vows ‘closure’ on Brexit as he calls for ‘healing’ after election victory
3 min read
Boris Johnson has vowed to deliver “closure” on Brexit so the UK can “let the healing begin” after sweeping to victory in the general election.
The Prime Minister spoke outside Number 10 after securing a thumping Commons majority of 80 - the Tories' largest since they were led by Margaret Thatcher in 1987.
He said: "In this moment of national resolution I want to speak directly to those who made it possible, and to those who voted for us for the first time and those whose pencils may have wavered over the ballot and who heard the voices of their parents and grandparents whispering anxiously in their ears. I say thank you for the trust you have placed in us and in me.
"We will work around the clock to repay your trust and to deliver on your priorities with a Parliament that works for you and then I want to speak also to those who did not vote for us or for me and who wanted and perhaps still want to remain in the EU.
"I want you to know that we in this one nation Conservative government will never ignore your good and positive feelings of warmth and sympathy towards the other nations of Europe.
The last constituency to announce, St Ives in Cornwall, was finally counted on Friday afternoon - leaving the Tories on 365 MPs, while Labour finished on just 203, their worst result since 1935.
Mr Johnson, who ran on a slogan to “get Brexit done”, said the EU would be treated as “friends and sovereign equals” as he prepared to re-introduce his Withdrawal Bill to Parliament.
But he added: “I frankly urge everyone, on either side of what are, after three and a half years, after all an increasingly arid argument, I urge everyone to find closure and let the healing begin.”
The PM said his new Government will “unite and level up, bringing together the whole of this incredible United Kingdom”, repeating his campaign pledges to hand the NHS the “biggest ever cash boost”, increase the number of nurses by 50,000 and build 40 new hospitals.
He finished by saying: "And since I know, that after five weeks, frankly, of electioneering, this country deserves a break from wrangling, a break from politics, and a permanent break from talking about Brexit.
"I want everyone to go about their Christmas preparations, happy and secure in the knowledge that here, in this people's government, the work is now being stepped up to make 2020 a year of prosperity, and growth and hope, and to deliver a Parliament that works for the people.
"Thank you all very much, and Happy Christmas."
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
