Brexit and Democratic Trust in Johnson's Speech

This page focuses on how Boris Johnson frames Brexit in relation to democratic trust and the will of the people. It's a central theme of his speech and crucial to understanding his approach to leaving the European Union.

Key points:

1. Fulfilling democratic promises: Johnson presents Brexit as essential to restoring trust in democracy, emphasizing the need to "fulfill the repeated promises of Parliament to the people."

Quote: "The first is to restore trust in our democracy and fulfill the repeated promises of Parliament to the people by coming out of the European Union - and doing so on October 31st."

2. Commitment to the deadline: The Prime Minister firmly commits to leaving the EU by October 31st, 2019, "whatever the circumstances."

3. Consequences of failure: Johnson argues that failing to deliver Brexit would have severe consequences for public trust in the political system.

Highlight: He describes the potential failure to leave the EU as causing a "catastrophic loss of confidence in our political system."

4. Following democratic instructions: The speech frames Brexit as a clear democratic instruction from the British people that must be followed.

5. Restoring faith in politicians: Johnson suggests that delivering Brexit is crucial for maintaining public trust in politicians and the democratic process.

6. Opportunity and responsibility: Brexit is presented not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity and responsibility for the government to fulfill.

By framing Brexit in terms of democratic trust and the will of the people, Johnson seeks to build support for his approach and present leaving the EU as a democratic imperative rather than just a policy choice.

Boris Johnson's First Speech as UK Prime Minister

Boris Johnson delivered his inaugural speech to Parliament as British Prime Minister in July 2019, setting out his vision and priorities for the country. The address focused heavily on Brexit and its implementation, while also touching on domestic policy issues.

Highlight: Johnson firmly committed to the UK leaving the EU by October 31st, 2019 "whatever the circumstances", framing it as essential to restore trust in democracy.

Johnson outlined several key priorities for his government:

1. Delivering Brexit by the October deadline
2. Increasing police powers to tackle violent crime
3. Boosting education funding
4. Investing in infrastructure and regional development
5. Reforming the immigration system

Quote: "Our future clean, green, prosperous, united, confident, ambitious - this my friends is the prize, more still the responsibility that it falls on us to fulfill."

The Prime Minister employed various rhetorical strategies to win over his audience and project confidence in Britain's post-Brexit future. These included:

• Using emotive language and patriotic appeals • Contrasting an optimistic future with past decline • Employing repetition and alliteration for emphasis

Example: Johnson used alliteration in phrases like "clean, green" and "prosperous, united" to make his vision more memorable and impactful.

The speech aimed to rally support for Johnson's Brexit strategy while also addressing domestic concerns and promising a brighter future for the UK outside the EU.

Exam Questions on Boris Johnson's Speech

This page presents exam questions related to Boris Johnson's first speech as UK Prime Minister, focusing on reading comprehension, analysis, and evaluation skills. The questions are designed to test students' understanding of the speech's content, rhetorical strategies, and broader context within British politics.

The exam is divided into two parts:

Part A: Reading and writing comprehension (105 points)

1. Outline past and future perspectives mentioned by Johnson and identify key topics (12 points)
2. Analyze rhetorical strategies used to persuade the audience (16 points)
3. Comment on Johnson's opinions and visions in relation to the topic of "Tradition and change in politics and society" (14 points)

Part B: Mediation (45 points) 4. Describe the consequences of Brexit for Britons living in Germany, using the example of Ian Bennett who applied for German citizenship

Highlight: These questions require students to engage critically with the speech, considering both its content and its place within broader discussions of Brexit and British political traditions.

The exam tests various skills including: • Reading comprehension • Rhetorical analysis • Critical evaluation • Contextual understanding • Written communication

Vocabulary: Mediation - In this context, it refers to the skill of conveying information from one language or context to another, often involving translation and cultural interpretation.

Domestic Policy and Brexit in Johnson's Speech

This final page examines how Boris Johnson connects his domestic policy agenda with the broader Brexit narrative in his speech. It highlights how the Prime Minister integrates various policy proposals into his vision for post-Brexit Britain.

Key points:

1. Linking domestic reform to Brexit: Johnson presents domestic policy changes as part of the broader project of national renewal associated with leaving the EU.

2. Law and order: Increased police powers and tougher sentencing are framed as addressing public concerns and restoring confidence in the system.

3. Education funding: Promises to boost education spending are presented as investing in Britain's future talent and competitiveness.

Quote: "On education, I have listened to the concerns of many colleagues and we will increase the minimum level of per pupil funding in primary and secondary schools."

4. Regional development: The commitment to "leveling up" across the UK is tied to the idea of a more united and prosperous post-Brexit Britain.

5. Infrastructure investment: Promises of investment in broadband, transport, and housing are linked to improving quality of life and driving economic growth.

6. Immigration reform: Johnson proposes an "Australian-style points based system," presenting it as an opportunity made possible by Brexit.

Highlight: The speech connects these domestic policies to the broader themes of restoring trust, seizing new opportunities, and building a more prosperous future outside the EU.

7. NHS funding: While not a major focus, Johnson mentions plans to improve NHS funding, tying it to the controversial claim about money saved from EU contributions.

8. Technological innovation: The Prime Minister emphasizes Britain's potential to lead in areas like bioscience and green technology, presenting it as part of the post-Brexit opportunity.

By integrating these domestic priorities with his Brexit narrative, Johnson attempts to present a comprehensive vision for the UK's future, addressing immediate concerns while tying them to the broader project of leaving the European Union.