Boris Johnson claimed that it would be ‘shameful’ for the Government to delay the Brexit process beyond the 29th March deadline.  

During a speech at the JCB factory in Staffordshire, the former Foreign Secretary outlined his vision and plans for what should be done to resolve the current Brexit crisis. 

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal was categorically rejected by MPs in the House of Commons, but the PM was able to survive a vote of no confidence the following night, albeit by a just 19 votes.  

The government has announced it has already begun work on an improved deal and is looking to cooperate with opposition parties and the EU in order to do so.   

But Mr Johnson has not been so diplomatic with his proposed approach to the withdrawal deal.  

He said: “To maximise the opportunities ahead of us, we need autonomy and we need freedom.   

“To achieve that creative autonomy, we must follow the logic of what Parliament has voted for – that is No to this deal which locks us in and Yes to exit on March 29th.”  

Mr Johnson was also incredibly critical of Prime Minister Theresa May and the government’s approach to the negotiations.   

He took inspiration from being surrounded by JCB machines saying they lacked: “Sufficient drive or JCB-style gumption.  

“Let us fire up the engines, stop dithering, emulate the spirit of JCB and remove from our path the backstop that is the last Brussels-built blockage in the path of a global Britain.”  

But Mr Johnson’s speech was mired in controversy, denying claims that he wants to take over from the PM, if a snap election were to be called: “I think most people in this country have had quite enough elections. 

“A snap election is not the right way through.” 

His critics have also claimed that his speech directly contradicted the policies that he set out during the Leave campaign in 2016, on immigration and Turkey’s membership of the EU.