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Johnson Raises Brexit Stakes; Britain Gears Up for Possible Election

Henry Ridgwell

   LONDON - Newly appointed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has
   reiterated his pledge to leave the European Union in October under any
   circumstance, raising the likelihood that Britain could crash out of
   the bloc without a deal.

   In a brutal reshuffle this week, Johnson purged the Cabinet of rivals
   and rewarded loyalists and pro-Brexit politicians with new government
   posts.

   In his first speech to parliament Thursday, Johnson said a golden age
   awaited Britain after Brexit and promised to leave the EU on the agreed
   date of Oct. 31.

   "To do otherwise would cause a catastrophic loss of confidence in our
   political system," he told a raucous House of Commons.

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