British PM hopeful Gove says no EU exit talks this year

Michael Gove leaves his home in London, as he prepared to set out his case for becoming prime minister, Friday July 1, 2016. The candidates to succeed David Cameron as Conservative Party leader are starting their campaign to become Britain's prime minister which will shape Britain's future relationship with the European Union. (Lauren Hurley / PA via AP)
Michael Gove leaves his home in London, as he prepared to set out his case for becoming prime minister, Friday July 1, 2016. The candidates to succeed David Cameron as Conservative Party leader are starting their campaign to become Britain's prime minister which will shape Britain's future relationship with the European Union. (Lauren Hurley / PA via AP)

LONDON — Justice Secretary Michael Gove argued Friday that he should be Britain's next leader because he is passionately committed to leaving the European Union — but said he would not trigger EU exit talks this year if he becomes prime minister.

His comments are likely to upset and annoy EU leaders, who have put strong pressure on Britain to start talks soon on leaving the 28-nation bloc.

Gove, one of the leaders of the victorious campaign to quit the bloc, is among five Conservatives running to replace Prime Minister David Cameron, who resigned after losing last week's referendum on EU membership.

Uncertainty about the country's future ties with the EU is weighing heavily on the British economy, prompting Treasury chief George Osborne to announce he was abandoning the government's long-held goal of achieving a budget surplus by 2020.

In a speech Friday, Osborne said the referendum result is "likely to lead to a significant negative shock for the British economy."

"We will continue to be tough on the deficit but we must be realistic about achieving a surplus by the end of this decade," he said.

Osborne, a close ally of Cameron, has ruled himself out of the Conservative leadership race.

Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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