Boris Johnson calls David Cameron a 'merchant of gloom', says UK would 'thrive' outside EU

David Cameron warns that a post Brexit trade agreement with the EU based on the Canadian model favoured by Boris Johnson would bring 'seven years of uncertainty' 

By Laura Hughes and Kate McCann

4:10PM GMT 11 Mar 2016

Boris Johnson: The only thing to fear is fear itself, and even that isn't scary

Our political correspondent Laura Hughes has provided this summary of Boris Johnson's speech this morning.

Boris Johnson has said he would like Britain to strike a new free trade deal with the EU, based on the one Canada has struck with Brussels.

This would be a deal based on trade and tariffs and would mean Britain would not be forced to allow the free movement of people.

Speaking at a factory in Dartford this morning he said: "I think we can strike a deal, as the Canadians have done, based on trade and getting rid of tariffs. It's a very, very bright future I see." 

Boris Johnson? Photo: PAUL GROVER

Asked to comment on the Archbishop of Canterbury's views on the EU, Mr Johnson joked that he wasn't sure what the bible says on the issue of Europe, but added that "prayer is all that's going to be left if we don't vote Leave."

The Mayor urged Brexiters to "hold our nerve and vote for freedom" and described the EU as an "anachronism" which "costs us a huge amount of money and subverts our democracy".

Mr Johnson said the In campaign think Britain "doesn't have the guts" to burst out of the "shackles" of the EU.

He said the remainers are "underestimating" Britain and what it can achieve, as he called on voters not to be "timid" and to resist the "gloomadom poppers."

He said: "The tragedy is that we didn't get any real reform and everyone knows it. The only way to get real reform is to leave.

"I think the only thing we have to fear is fear itself and fear isn't even that scary at the moment."

Mr Johnson said that if the public were asked if they wanted to join the EU in 2016, they would see it as "a bit mad and idealistic" and some of the demands made on Britain as "deranged."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/12190687/