It's been an honor to represent Orpington for 9 years & to serve as a minister under three PMs (Prime Ministers), in recent weeks I've been torn between family loyalty and the national interest - it's an unresolvable tension & time for others to take on my roles as MP (Member of Parliament) & Minister.

Jo Johnson

Categorized in : Top News

We are barreling towards an incoherent Brexit that is going to leave us trapped in a subordinate relationship to the EU, with no say over the rules that will govern huge swathes of our economy.

We are barrelling towards an incoherent Brexit that is going to leave us trapped in a subordinate relationship to the EU, with no say over the rules that will govern huge swathes of our economy.

You really don't throw a ministerial job away lightly. by Jo Johnson

You really don't throw a ministerial job away lightly.

throw away job you

I have a wonderful family. My father is a brilliant father, and my mother a brilliant person who had mental-health issues, but has been wonderfully creative throughout her life. They couldn't have been more supportive.

family mother life father

The case for Brexit was made on rhetorical flourishes and promises and bluster. A lot of promises on which people voted have turned out to be undeliverable. It was a false prospectus.

false promises brexit people

I grew up in Brussels. by Jo Johnson

I grew up in Brussels.

up brussels grew

What is so clearly in the national interest is everything the government is doing in its strong, one nation domestic policy agenda: more police on the streets, more doctors and nurses in our hospitals, a welcoming face to scientists and international students.

face police government strong

Brexit has divided the country. It has divided political parties.... by Jo Johnson

Brexit has divided the country. It has divided political parties. And it has divided families too.

brexit political divided country

Although I voted Remain, I have desperately wanted the Government, in which I have been proud to serve, to make a success of Brexit: to reunite our country, our party and, yes, my family too.

family proud government success

When we were told Brexit meant taking back powers for Parliament, no one told my constituents this meant the French parliament and the German parliament, not our own.

brexit own back parliament

Certainly, I know from my own work at the Department of Transport the potential chaos that will follow a 'no deal' Brexit. It will cause disruption, delay and deep damage to our economy.

deep chaos my-own work

There is no precedent of an advanced economy withdrawing from a trade agreement as deep and as complex as the European Union.

deep european-union economy trade

While we have agreed to pay the E.U. tens of billions of pounds in the Withdrawal Agreement, the Political Declaration that aimed to set out the principles for this future negotiation is a document deliberately vague to allow it to mean all things to all people.

future political principles people

As the U.K.'s position as a global financial services hub weakens, our competitors will lose no time in attracting jobs in services from our shores.

no-time lose will time

No one voted for a Brexit that will tie us to the E.U.'s customs rules and prevent us striking meaningful trade deals of our own.

brexit rules own will

If we are serious about Global Britain, we must recognise that international students bring huge benefits to our universities, our local economies and our soft power.

soft serious students power

As the Bank of England has noted, Brexit is a unique experiment in the reimposition of protectionist barriers to trade.

brexit bank trade unique

We are leaving the E.U. But we have no idea where we are going. by Jo Johnson

We are leaving the E.U. But we have no idea where we are going.

going where no-idea leaving

Some Brexiteers are passionate defenders of the benefits of immigration. Others just can't wait to slam the doors shut.

wait some immigration doors

We talk, as any brothers, or as most brothers do, particularly wh... by Jo Johnson

We talk, as any brothers, or as most brothers do, particularly when you are involved in politics.

talk you involved politics