London’s Boris Johnson Backs Britain Leaving 28-Nation EU

A new battle for Britain erupted Sunday, with London Mayor Boris Johnson saying he would join the campaign to encourage Britain to leave the European Union.
London’s Boris Johnson Backs Britain Leaving 28-Nation EU
London Mayor Boris Johnson makes a statement outside his home in London, Sunday Feb. 21, 2016. AP Photo/Tim Ireland
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LONDON — A new battle for Britain erupted Sunday, with London Mayor Boris Johnson saying he would join the campaign to encourage Britain to leave the European Union. The move posed a direct challenge to Prime Minister David Cameron, who has launched a major push to keep his country within the 28-nation bloc.

The popular, raffish Johnson immediately becomes the most prominent Conservative Party politician to break ranks with fellow Conservative Cameron’s vision of the best course for Britain in a June 23 referendum on EU membership.

The referendum has divided Cameron’s Conservative Party — while most in his Cabinet back his wish to stay, several Cabinet members oppose his stance and are campaigning for the country to break free of EU bureaucracy — a so-called “Brexit.”

The decision of Johnson, a 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.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson (C) is surrounded by photographers and members of the public as he returns to his home after making a statement in London, Sunday Feb. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
London Mayor Boris Johnson (C) is surrounded by photographers and members of the public as he returns to his home after making a statement in London, Sunday Feb. 21, 2016. AP Photo/Tim Ireland