HIGHLIGHTS-Boris Johnson launches bid to become next UK prime minister

Boris Johnson, the leading candidate to be Britain's next prime minister, laid out his pitch to win the leadership race in the ruling Conservative Party on Wednesday. Following are comments by Johnson at the launch of his campaign.

JOHNSON ON NO-DEAL BREXIT "Let me be clear: I am not aiming for a no-deal outcome. I don't think that we will end up with any such thing, but it is only responsible to prepare vigorously and seriously for no-deal. Indeed it is astonishing that anyone could suggest dispensing with that vital tool in the negotiation."

JOHNSON ON MOOD IN BRITAIN "It is almost as if the commercial dynamism of the British people is insulating them from the crisis in our politics and yet we cannot ignore the morass of Westminster."

"Around the country there is a feeling of disillusion and even despair at our ability to get things done. The longer it goes on, the worse the risk that there will be serious contamination and a real loss of confidence."