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London mayor says better deal for Britain to exit European Union

LONDON mayor Boris Johnson officially joins the leave EU campaign pitting himself in direct opposition to the UK Prime Minister.

London Mayor Boris Johnson makes a statement outside his home in London, Sunday Feb. 21, 2016. London Mayor Boris Johnson said Sunday he is joining a campaign to encourage Britain to leave the European Union _ posing a direct challenge to Prime Minister David Cameron, who has launched a major push to win support for his call to keep his country within the EU. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
London Mayor Boris Johnson makes a statement outside his home in London, Sunday Feb. 21, 2016. London Mayor Boris Johnson said Sunday he is joining a campaign to encourage Britain to leave the European Union _ posing a direct challenge to Prime Minister David Cameron, who has launched a major push to win support for his call to keep his country within the EU. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

POPULAR London mayor Boris Johnson has backed the UK campaign to leave the European Union in a direct challenge to Prime Minister David Cameron.

Johnson said he would be advocating an exit from the EU as the entire European project was in danger of spinning out of “proper democratic control.”

Johnson’s decision was not a complete surprise as the 51-year-old former journalist has for several decades criticised the growing EU bureaucracy, first in his newspaper and magazine columns and later from Parliament and city hall.

Boris Johnson outside his London home saying he would support a vote for Britain to leave the European Union. Picture: AFP Niklas Halle'n
Boris Johnson outside his London home saying he would support a vote for Britain to leave the European Union. Picture: AFP Niklas Halle'n

But the decision by the two-term mayor, who has been touted as a possible future prime minister, deals a blow to Cameron’s hopes of a united front ahead of what is expected to be a hard-fought referendum.

“The last thing I wanted was to go against David Cameron or the government, but after a great deal of heartache I don’t think there is anything else I can do,” Johnson told reporters outside his London home.

“I will be advocating vote “leave” ... because I want a better deal for the people of this country to save them money and to take back control.”

He joins a gorwing number of Conservative Party members and MPs, who are advocating a “Brexit” from Europe’s 28-nation bloc in a referendum set for June 23.

Boris Johnson and David Cameron have opposing views about Britain’s position in the EU. Picture: AFP Will Oliver.
Boris Johnson and David Cameron have opposing views about Britain’s position in the EU. Picture: AFP Will Oliver.

No country has ever left the EU, and several European countries outside the bloc are still working to reform their economies and governance systems so they can join.

Striking likely campaign themes, Johnson criticised EU courts for taking too active a role in British affairs.

The referendum has divided the Conservative Party.

While most in David Cameron’s Cabinet back his wish to stay, including Home Secretary Theresa May and Chancellor George Osborne, several Cabinet members oppose his stance and are campaigning for the country to break free of EU bureaucracy.

Johnson surrounded by media outside his Islington home after declaring his pro-Brexit position. Picture: AP Tim Ireland.
Johnson surrounded by media outside his Islington home after declaring his pro-Brexit position. Picture: AP Tim Ireland.

Johnson was immediately praised by one of the leaders of the “leave” campaign who have been searching for a charismatic figure with mainstream appeal.

“We’d like to offer the Mayor of London a warm welcome to the Brexit campaign,” said Leave. EU co-chairman Richard Tice. “We share his vision of a UK with full, democratic control of its affairs, and a relationship with Europe based on free trade and voluntary co-operation.”

Cameron earlier in the day used a TV appearance to try to convince Johnson to join the “stay” campaign. Cameron cited emerging challenges from Russia and the rise of extremist groups in the Middle East as threats better dealt with as part of an alliance.

The prime minister also warned that it if Britain pulls out, it would take years to negotiate such a deal, since it also needs to make sure that British companies still have access to European markets.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/london-mayor-says-better-deal-for-britain-to-exit-european-union/news-story/ad24aed88febcef9ea88fa51c0ebe19d