UK's Johnson promises Brexit on Oct. 31, ‘no ifs or buts’

LONDON: Boris Johnson made his first speech after becoming British Prime Minister on Wednesday.

Following are highlights of his comments as he spoke to the media outside 10 Downing Street.

ON LEAVING THE EU ON OCT. 31

"The people who bet against Britain are going to lose their shirts because we are going to restore trust in our democracy, and we are going to fulfil the repeated promises of parliament to the people and come out of the EU on October 31, no ifs or buts."

ON PREPAREDNESS FOR BREXIT

"In high hearts and growing confidence we will now accelerate the work of getting ready. And the ports will be ready and the banks will be ready, the factories will be ready and business will be ready and the hospitals will be ready, and our amazing food and farming sector will be ready and waiting to continue selling ever more, not just here but around the world."

ON HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO DELIVER BREXIT

"Though I am today building a great team of men and women, I will take personal responsibility for the change I want to see. Never mind the backstop, the buck stops here."

ON THE POSSIBILITY OF A NO-DEAL BREXIT

"And don't forget that in the event of a no-deal outcome we will have that extra lubrication of the 39 billion pounds."

ON THERESA MAY AND HONOURING THE BREXIT VOTE

"I pay tribute to the fortitude and patience of my predecessor, and her deep sense of public service but in spite of all her efforts it has become clear that there are pessimists at home and abroad who think after three years of indecision this country has become a prisoner to the old arguments of 2016, and in this home of democracy we are incapable of honouring a democratic mandate. And so I am standing before you today to tell you the British people those critics are wrong."

ON SERVING VOTERS

"Though the Queen has just honoured me with this extraordinary office of state, my job is to serve you, the people. Because if there is one point we politicians need to remember, it is that the people are our bosses.