The Prime Minister Who ‘Changed His Mind’ About Brexit

Originally published by El Diario de Hoy on 28 July, 2019.

It’s no surprise when a politician changes their mind. But a significant shift in position becomes notable when it happens over a short period, especially on a controversial issue, perhaps the most pressing one facing their country.

This is the case of Boris Johnson, the new British Prime Minister, who built his popularity—and rose to the highest political office in the United Kingdom—thanks to his aggressive stance on the issue that concerns British citizens the most: how the country would leave the European Union (EU), a process commonly referred to as Brexit.

On July 24, in his first speech as Prime Minister, Johnson declared that “there will be Brexit on October 31, no matter what.” This is the deadline set by the European Commission for the UK to leave the regional bloc, with or without a deal—a promise Johnson has vowed to uphold. “Do or die,” he said recently.

That day, Johnson succeeded former Prime Minister Theresa May, who failed to get the UK Parliament to ratify the withdrawal agreement she negotiated with the EU.

Following this failure and a collapse in her popularity and legitimacy, May announced on July 6 that she would step down, triggering an internal Conservative Party election to name her successor.

Boris Johnson’s Recent Path

On February 21, 2016, the eccentric politician, former Mayor of London and Foreign Secretary, joined the “Leave” campaign in favor of exiting the EU, and quickly became its most prominent spokesperson.

In doing so, he amplified his already considerable popularity, becoming the voice for a sizable segment of the British electorate. It cemented his place as one of the most influential leaders within the Conservative ranks.

But Johnson wasn’t always a passionate Brexit supporter. Just two days before joining the Leave campaign, he submitted two op-eds to a local newspaper: one in favor of leaving the EU and another offering a careful argument against it.

In the end, he requested the pro-Brexit version be published. From that moment on, he became one of the most aggressive voices advocating for Britain’s departure from the EU—a move ultimately decided in a referendum on June 23, 2016.

However, it’s hard to reconcile today’s Prime Minister, who now vows a Brexit “no matter what” and surrounds himself with hardline Eurosceptics, with the same person who once made one of the clearest arguments against leaving the EU.

The Content of That Article

His pro-Remain arguments didn’t just touch on public policy or the economic benefits of a shared market that allows member states to trade goods without tariffs.

Two days before revealing his support for Brexit, Johnson urged his fellow Britons to “shut your eyes. Hold your breath. Think of Britain. Think of the rest of the EU. Think of the future. Think of the desire of your children and your grandchildren to live and work in other European countries; to sell things there, to make friends and perhaps to find partners there.”

In the letter—eventually published by The Sunday Times—Johnson wrote that it was in Britain’s, Europe’s, and even the world’s best interest to stay united. He criticized the growing sentiment of “turning our backs on Europe.”

He even noted that the EU alliance served to weaken figures with ambitions to destabilize the continent—such as Russian President Vladimir Putin. Johnson also warned that most Brexit supporters were based in England’s interior, risking the UK’s union with Scotland, which has shown a strong desire to remain in Europe and has already attempted to separate from the UK, which it joined in 1707.

“It’s in His Nature”

Sarah Lyall, The New York Times’ London correspondent, described Johnson as a lifelong right-wing politician whose popularity grew among Conservative Eurosceptics due to his mocking tone toward the EU when he worked as a journalist. However, she added, “It’s not entirely clear if those were his true convictions.”

Early on, it seemed “his motivation was simply to get into Parliament and build a power base (...). In other words, he would do whatever it took to stay in power,” Lyall wrote.

Reality has borne that out—Johnson has played both sides, simultaneously expressing affection for and aversion to the EU. His pro-European positions were not new. In 2013, in an interview with Sky News, Johnson said he would vote to remain in the single market so that the UK could trade with “our friends and European partners.”

That same year, speaking before the House of Commons, he said he was a “fan of the European Union, and if it didn’t exist, we’d have to invent something like it.” In the same speech, he advocated for expanding the bloc and admitting Turkey. Three years later, he demanded the opposite—blocking Turkey’s accession to the EU, citing security concerns.

The Future Is Uncertain

While “BoJo”—as he is popularly known—has promised to carry out Brexit with or without a deal, the direction of his government remains unclear. From the outset, it has become a stronghold of Britain’s most conservative figures.

An official from the Brexit negotiating office, who spoke to El Diario de Hoy on condition of anonymity, predicted that Johnson would attempt to renegotiate the deal with the EU. However, that will prove difficult, especially given the sensitive issue of the border between the Republic of Ireland (an EU member) and Northern Ireland, one of the four constituent nations that form the UK.

He added that Johnson could face a Parliament unwilling to approve a no-deal exit—something the Prime Minister has not ruled out. If that happens, Parliament could push for a vote of no confidence. Given the fragility of the governing coalition, this could lead to snap elections. The outcome would depend on the stance of Conservative MPs in districts that don’t favor Brexit and who may resist the new leader’s hardline approach.

That scenario is not far-fetched. Just hours after Johnson took office, opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted that the UK needed a general election—a move dependent on legislative arithmetic.

However, the official warned: Johnson’s track record makes it hard to take his words at face value. As a result, the future of one of the world’s leading powers remains uncertain. The official also predicted that, given Johnson’s unpopularity in Europe, he would likely seek closer ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has expressed admiration for the eccentric British leader.

“It’s likely we’ll see a Washington visit within his first month in office,” he said.

Inconsistency or Strategy?

To some, Johnson’s history of endorsing contradictory positions with no apparent remorse reflects a lack of consistency that undermines his credibility.

To others, it’s his greatest strength: he is a political survivor, one of the few figures in Whitehall willing to do whatever it takes to gain—and keep—power.

His sarcastic humor, seemingly casual demeanor, and ideological flip-flops may repel many, but they might also be the traits that make Boris Johnson the most skilled politician in the UK, precisely when his country needs it most.