Boris Johnson’s Narrative of the 2016 Brexit Referendum: A Counter-discourse on the European Union

Abstract

This paper seeks to argue that Boris Johnson, one of the most prominent leaders in the Leave campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum succeeded in persuading British voters to be on his side and choose to leave the European Union (EU). One of the arguments advanced by Johnson during the referendum campaign was that leaving the EU would allow Britain to regain its sovereignty as well as its role in the world. This study is focused on Johnson’s two speeches, one on the Brexit referendum and one on the Brexit result, given their significance in manipulating British public opinion in relation to their stance on the EU. The analysis is based on Obeng’s (1997) indirectness strategies and Fairclough’s and Fairclough’s (2012) practical reasoning framework. The central argument is that Johnson’s verbal strategies have been influential in the results of the referendum, putting an end to a long partnership between the EU and the UK. Such a split ushered in a new era for both partners in the aftermath of Brexit, putting EU’s integrity at stake, raising concern about more frictions within such an institution.

Keywords: Brexit, Britain, Discourse, EU, Johnson