Britain Decides: Johnson challenges rival Corbyn on immigration and Brexit

Two rivals to go head to head in televised debate on Tuesday

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour party, speaks at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) 2019 Annual Conference in London, U.K., on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will try to win business leaders to his side with an offer of tax cuts at the start of a crucial week in the U.K. general election campaign. Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg
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The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written a letter to his rival, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, to challenge him on his Brexit and immigration policy before the general election in December.

“Tonight I’ve written to Jeremy Corbyn to ask him whether he’s made his mind up on Brexit,” Mr Johnson tweeted on Monday.

“Because that is why we are having this election, to end the gridlock, get Brexit done and move on as a country.”

In the letter, he accused the Labour leader of avoiding questions about Britain’s departure from the EU and being ambiguous on immigration.

In the four questions, Mr Corbyn was asked about his stance on EU membership in a second referendum, which Labour has pushed for.

He is also quizzed on immigration and whether he would end, maintain or extend free movement after Britain leaves the EU.

Mr Johnson also asks whether Mr Corbyn can unite his party behind his Brexit policy.

Like the ruling Conservatives, Labour has been deeply divided on Brexit, with many MPs campaigning to stay in the EU before the June 2016 referendum.

Adding to the divisions, many Remain-campaigning MPs represent constituencies where most voters in the referendum chose to leave.

The two party leaders are due to go head to head in a televised debate on Tuesday, before the general election on December 12.

Almost a third of young people in the UK are incorrectly registered to vote, the Electoral Commission revealed.

Earlier on Monday, Mr Corbyn and Mr Johnson spoke at the Confederation of British Industry’s conference, where both sought to reassure business executives that a government under their leadership would ensure stability.

New findings by polling company Survation on Monday indicated that the Conservatives have a 14-point lead over Labour.

But both parties have yet to release their general election policies.