Boris Johnson branded Jeremy Corbyn a 'brainwashed Remainer' who was in hock to Iranian 'Mullahs' in their fiery first Commons clashes today.
The PM goaded the Labour leader that he had abandoned his long-standing Euroscepticism as he claimed that the Tories were now the only ones 'on the side of the people'.
Dismissing criticism over tensions with Iran, Mr Johnson pointed out that Mr Corbyn had been paid to appear on state TV, saying he was took the side of the 'Iranian Mullahs'.
The premier was also cheered to the rafters by Tories as told MPs he was determined to honour his 'do or die' promise to secure Brexit by the end of October.
Going on the attack after his unprecedented bloodbath of 17 Cabinet ministers overnight, Mr Johnson warned that the Irish border backstop must be scrapped altogether, saying 'a time limit is not enough'.
He urged the EU to 'rethink' its refusal to make more concessions in the negotiations - threatening to withhold the £39billion divorce bill unless the UK gets a better deal. He said the UK was 'better prepared' than many thought for No Deal, but confirmed Michael Gove will be tasked with finalising contingencies in case they are needed.
In a typically flamboyant and upbeat performance, Mr Johnson echoed Mr Trump's 'make America great again' slogan by insisting his policies would make Britain the 'greatest country in the world' within 30 years. He admitted he was not expecting to stay in No10 that long.
But Mr Johnson faced a grilling from Remainer MPs from across parties, including some of the ministers he brutally sacked on becoming PM last night.
Mr Corbyn accused him of 'hastily throwing together a hard Right Cabinet', saying there was no reason to believe he could succeed where Theresa May failed.
Some senior figures pointedly stayed away from the explosive session - with Theresa May, Greg Clark and David Gauke pictured watching the cricket at Lords.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Johnson said: 'I, and all ministers, are committed to leaving on this date. Whatever the circumstances.
'To do otherwise would cause a catastrophic loss of confidence in our political system. It would leave the British people wondering whether their politicians could ever be trusted again to follow a clear democratic instruction.'
In a stark message to Brussels on the backstop, Mr Johnson rejected the idea that the problem could be solved with minor tweaks.
'No country that values its independence and indeed its self-respect could agree to a treaty which signed away our economic and self-government as this backstop does,' he said.
'A time limit is not enough... The way to the deal goes by way of the abolition of the backstop.'
In a limited olive branch to Brussels, Mr Johnson did say he would unilaterally guarantee the rights of EU citizens already in the UK to stay after the country leaves the bloc.
Mr Johnson said he would make the UK the 'greatest place on earth' by 2050.
'Our mission is to deliver Brexit on October 31 for the purpose of uniting and re-energising our great United Kingdom and making this country the greatest place on earth,' he said.
'And when I say the greatest place on earth, I'm conscious that some may accuse me of hyperbole, but it's useful to imagine the trajectory on which we could now be embarked.
'By 2050 it's more than possible that the United Kingdom will be the greatest and most prosperous economy in Europe at the centre of a new network of trade deals which we have pioneered.'
Infrastructure investment, high-speed broadband, free ports and 'unleashing the productive power' of the whole UK were ways he would deliver his vision, Mr Johnson said.
The PM accused the Labour leader of 'metamorphosing' into a Remainer.
'At last, this long-standing Eurosceptic, the right honourable gentleman, has been captured, he has been jugulated, he has been re-programmed by his honourable friends,' he jibed.
'He has been turned now into a Remainer.'
Mr Johnson said the Tories were now the 'the party of the people'.
He said: 'This Government is clearly on the side of democracy. It is this party that is on the side of the people who voted so overwhelmingly in 2016.
'It is this party that will deliver the mandate that they gave to this Parliament and which, by the way, this Parliament promised time and time and time again to deliver, and indeed the right honourable gentleman and all his colleagues promised to deliver it.
'The reality now is that we are the party of the people.
'We are the party of the many, we are the party of many, and they are the party of a few.
'We will take this country forward, they will take it backwards.'
Mr Corbyn said: 'Labour will oppose any deal that fails to protect jobs, workers' rights or environmental protections.
Boris Johnson vows to give EU citizens 'absolute certainty'
Boris Johnson has pledged with 'absolute certainty' that the 3.2 million EU nationals in the UK will keep their rights.
In his first Commons statement as Prime Minister, he said he would guarantee their ability to remain after Brexit.
Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement guaranteed citizens' rights, but there would be no automatic protection in the event of a no-deal departure.
Mr Johnson's commitment was welcomed, but there were warnings that UK citizens in Europe would still need their rights protecting in the event of a deal-less departure.
The PM praised the 'diversity, the talent and the skills of our workforce' in his statement.
'I want, therefore, to repeat unequivocally our guarantee to the 3.2 million EU nationals now living and working among us,' he said.
'I thank them for their contribution to our society and for their patience, and I can assure them that, under this Government, they will have the absolute certainty for the right to live and remain.'
The3million campaign group was cautious over the pledge on EU citizens in the UK.
'We hear warm words about EU citizens in the UK but we can only respond once the dust settles and we see detail. We also have not heard anything about our British friends in Europe,' a statement said.
'The3million looks forward to meeting with Boris Johnson and his Government to discuss his proposal as soon as possible.'
'If you have the confidence to put that decision back to the people, we would, in those circumstances, campaign to Remain.'
He also sought assurances over the NHS and demanded Mr Johnson made clear it would not be sold to American healthcare companies.
He added: 'People fear that, far from wanting to take back control, the new Prime Minister would effectively make us a vassal state of Trump's America.'
Mr Johnson responded by claiming Mr Corbyn wanted to 'put up taxes', including on people's gardens, and could not be trusted on Iran.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford welcomed Mr Johnson to his post as the 'last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom'.
He also said: 'Scotland's First Minister has been clear - that she's now reviewing the timetable for a second independence referendum.
'Scotland will not standby and let decisions be taken by charlatans on our behalf.'
Mr Johnson accused Mr Blackford of 'defeatism and pessimism' over the UK, adding: 'If we can deliver a fantastic, sensible and progressive Brexit, which I believe we can, and the whole United Kingdom comes out, as I know that it will, what happens then to the arguments of the Scottish National Party?
'Will they seriously continue to say Scotland must join the euro? Will they seriously suggest that Scotland must submit to the entire panoply of EU law?'
Yvette Cooper, Labour chairwoman of the Home Affairs Committee, asked Mr Johnson to detail the alternative arrangements for the Irish border before adding she feared his words might be 'more bluster and guff'.
The Prime Minister said there are 'abundant facilitations' available, adding: 'Under no circumstances will there be physical infrastructure or checks at the Northern Irish border. That's absolutely unthinkable.'
Hilary Benn, Labour chairman of the Brexit Committee, asked what would happen if MPs vote against leaving with No Deal.
Mr Johnson accused Mr Benn of 'defeatism' and said: 'Why begin by assuming our EU friends will not wish to compromise?'
via - Dailymail
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