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David Davis: 'I wouldn't have done a good job' of delivering May's Brexit plan – politics live Dominic Raab becomes new Brexit secretary after David Davis resigns – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Dominic Raab, the housing minister, is the new Brexit secretary, Number 10 has announced.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Conservative backbencher and chair of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, has just told Sky news that the fact that No 10 is briefing Labour MPs on Theresa May’s Brexit policy (see 9.29am) suggests that May thinks she will have to rely on “socialist votes” to get her plan through parliament.
This is from the Sun’s Brussels correspondent Nick Gutteridge.
EU diplomat jokes DD delayed his resignation because he didn't want to take a taxi back from Chequers. Then brutally adds: 'We're already used to negotiating with Olly Robbins, so this resignation doesn't really affect the negotiations.' Ouch 🔥
Simon Hart, a remain-voting Conservative MP, says David Davis did not achieve much as Brexit secretary. He says the situation is now a “shit show”.Simon Hart, a remain-voting Conservative MP, says David Davis did not achieve much as Brexit secretary. He says the situation is now a “shit show”.
Whilst everybody calls for Theresa May’s head its worth remembering that it’s David Davis who has actually failed here. Over 2 years as Brexit Sec and what’s to show for it?Whilst everybody calls for Theresa May’s head its worth remembering that it’s David Davis who has actually failed here. Over 2 years as Brexit Sec and what’s to show for it?
It also seems that Davis resigning (2 days after signing up to way forward) has hugely increased chances of brexit never happening. Remainers could now support vote on customs union....? Ironic pat on back for architects of this shit show..It also seems that Davis resigning (2 days after signing up to way forward) has hugely increased chances of brexit never happening. Remainers could now support vote on customs union....? Ironic pat on back for architects of this shit show..
David Henig, a trade policy expert and director of the UK Trade Policy Project, has posted a good Twitter thread on what the David Davis resignation means. It starts here.David Henig, a trade policy expert and director of the UK Trade Policy Project, has posted a good Twitter thread on what the David Davis resignation means. It starts here.
Let's break the usual rules here and think about the EU might respond to the events of Friday to Monday in Brexitlandia... 1/Let's break the usual rules here and think about the EU might respond to the events of Friday to Monday in Brexitlandia... 1/
On the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show the Conservative MP Marcus Fysh described Theresa May’s Brexit policy as “an absolute stinker” and refused to say he had confidence in her as prime minister.On the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show the Conservative MP Marcus Fysh described Theresa May’s Brexit policy as “an absolute stinker” and refused to say he had confidence in her as prime minister.
"Govt policy is an absolute stinker" on #Brexit - Tory MP Marcus Fysh."If @Theresa_May wants to break her manifesto pledges that is up to her ... these things have consequences" pic.twitter.com/pH2DMGstO0"Govt policy is an absolute stinker" on #Brexit - Tory MP Marcus Fysh."If @Theresa_May wants to break her manifesto pledges that is up to her ... these things have consequences" pic.twitter.com/pH2DMGstO0
Sky’s Tom Rayner has some footage of Suella Braverman, the Brexit minister, with Robbie Gibb, the Number 10 communications director, this morning.Sky’s Tom Rayner has some footage of Suella Braverman, the Brexit minister, with Robbie Gibb, the Number 10 communications director, this morning.
Far from resigning, seems @SuellaBraverman is standing by number 10, literally... pic.twitter.com/y7luiOgemcFar from resigning, seems @SuellaBraverman is standing by number 10, literally... pic.twitter.com/y7luiOgemc
This is from my colleague Jessica Elgot, referring to the meeting mentioned earlier. (See 9.29am.)This is from my colleague Jessica Elgot, referring to the meeting mentioned earlier. (See 9.29am.)
Labour source tells me Keir Starmer plans to go to Gavin Barwell Brexit briefing and encouraging all MPs to go. "It's an opportunity to tell the PM's chief of staff why the government has got it so wrong."Labour source tells me Keir Starmer plans to go to Gavin Barwell Brexit briefing and encouraging all MPs to go. "It's an opportunity to tell the PM's chief of staff why the government has got it so wrong."
This is from Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP first minister of Scotland.This is from Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP first minister of Scotland.
The #chequers unity didn’t last long. This UK government is in utter chaos and ebbing authority by the day. What a shambles. #DavidDavis https://t.co/rLn9txYykIThe #chequers unity didn’t last long. This UK government is in utter chaos and ebbing authority by the day. What a shambles. #DavidDavis https://t.co/rLn9txYykI
And this is from Carwyn Jones, the Labour first minister of Wales.And this is from Carwyn Jones, the Labour first minister of Wales.
The resignation of David Davis shows that the UK Government is in complete disarray over #Brexit and action urgently needs to be taken to resolve this chaos - businesses need certainty and the country needs leadership and directionThe resignation of David Davis shows that the UK Government is in complete disarray over #Brexit and action urgently needs to be taken to resolve this chaos - businesses need certainty and the country needs leadership and direction
This is from HuffPost’s Owen Bennett.This is from HuffPost’s Owen Bennett.
Suella Braverman has just walked through Portcullis House with Downing Street media chief Robbie Gibb. Doesn't look like she's resigned to me.Suella Braverman has just walked through Portcullis House with Downing Street media chief Robbie Gibb. Doesn't look like she's resigned to me.
Here are the main points from David Davis’s Today interview.Here are the main points from David Davis’s Today interview.
Davis, the former Brexit secretary, told Theresa May’s claim that her deal would return power to the House of Commons was “illusory”. That was because, in practice, the Commons would have little option but to accept EU regulations on goods, he said. (See 8.22am.)Davis, the former Brexit secretary, told Theresa May’s claim that her deal would return power to the House of Commons was “illusory”. That was because, in practice, the Commons would have little option but to accept EU regulations on goods, he said. (See 8.22am.)
This is painting something as returning sovereignty, returning control, to the House of Commons, when in practice it actually isn’t doing so.This is painting something as returning sovereignty, returning control, to the House of Commons, when in practice it actually isn’t doing so.
He said, under May’s plan, if the UK did diverge from EU regulations on goods, the Northern Ireland backstop would be triggered. That would amount to a “sword of Damocles” hanging over the government, he said. (See 8.22am.)He said, under May’s plan, if the UK did diverge from EU regulations on goods, the Northern Ireland backstop would be triggered. That would amount to a “sword of Damocles” hanging over the government, he said. (See 8.22am.)
He said he resigned because it would not have been “plausible” for him to defend a Brexit policy he did not believe in. He said:He said he resigned because it would not have been “plausible” for him to defend a Brexit policy he did not believe in. He said:
In my view, this policy has got a number of weaknesses. I would be front and centre in delivering this policy, explaining it to the House, persuading the House it is right, and then going out and delivering it with the EU.In my view, this policy has got a number of weaknesses. I would be front and centre in delivering this policy, explaining it to the House, persuading the House it is right, and then going out and delivering it with the EU.
Frankly, just as it was known what the policy was, it was also known I had concerns about it. It would not have been a plausible thing to do and I wouldn’t have done a good job at it.Frankly, just as it was known what the policy was, it was also known I had concerns about it. It would not have been a plausible thing to do and I wouldn’t have done a good job at it.
He said he did not resign at the cabinet meeting on Friday because he wanted to consult his local Conservative association and others first. “I was very clear on Friday and I took two days to think through some, for me, very important decisions,” he said.He said he did not resign at the cabinet meeting on Friday because he wanted to consult his local Conservative association and others first. “I was very clear on Friday and I took two days to think through some, for me, very important decisions,” he said.
He said he did not want his resignation to lead to Theresa May facing a leadership challenge. Asked if his resignation would be a “rallying call” to those opposed to her, he said: “I hope not.” Asked if she could survive, he said she could.He said he did not want his resignation to lead to Theresa May facing a leadership challenge. Asked if his resignation would be a “rallying call” to those opposed to her, he said: “I hope not.” Asked if she could survive, he said she could.
I won’t be encouraging people to do that [challenge May]. I think it’s the wrong thing to do.I won’t be encouraging people to do that [challenge May]. I think it’s the wrong thing to do.
Davis said he would not stand against May herself. If he had wanted to challenge her, he would have done so just after the election, he said. But he did not; he supported her.Davis said he would not stand against May herself. If he had wanted to challenge her, he would have done so just after the election, he said. But he did not; he supported her.
He claimed his resignation could strengthen May’s Brexit negotiating position.He claimed his resignation could strengthen May’s Brexit negotiating position.
She has got to have a Brexit secretary who will deliver on her strategy. That is not weakening, that is actually enhancing the effectiveness of the strategy.She has got to have a Brexit secretary who will deliver on her strategy. That is not weakening, that is actually enhancing the effectiveness of the strategy.
He said the government was making too many concessions to the EU.He said the government was making too many concessions to the EU.
It seems to me we are giving too much away too easily and that’s a dangerous strategy at this time. Hopefully we will resist very strongly any attempt to get any further concessions from us on this, because I think this further than we should have gone already.It seems to me we are giving too much away too easily and that’s a dangerous strategy at this time. Hopefully we will resist very strongly any attempt to get any further concessions from us on this, because I think this further than we should have gone already.
This is from the Times’ Sam Coates.This is from the Times’ Sam Coates.
Gosh pic.twitter.com/OC9u84dyNbGosh pic.twitter.com/OC9u84dyNb
This may be the first formal acknowledgement from Number 10 that Theresa May will eventually need Labour votes if she wants parliament to approve her Brexit deal.This may be the first formal acknowledgement from Number 10 that Theresa May will eventually need Labour votes if she wants parliament to approve her Brexit deal.
According to the Press Association, the Brexit department does not actually know whether Suella Braverman has resigned or not as a Brexit minister at the moment.According to the Press Association, the Brexit department does not actually know whether Suella Braverman has resigned or not as a Brexit minister at the moment.
Last night it was reported that she had quit with David Davis and Steve Baker, her fellow Brexit ministers. (See 00.51am.) Braverman (Suella Fernandes until she married) was Jacob Rees-Mogg’s predecessor as chair of the European Research Group, and is a very hardline Brexiter.Last night it was reported that she had quit with David Davis and Steve Baker, her fellow Brexit ministers. (See 00.51am.) Braverman (Suella Fernandes until she married) was Jacob Rees-Mogg’s predecessor as chair of the European Research Group, and is a very hardline Brexiter.
But this morning it is being said she is staying. This is from Sky’s Beth Rigby.But this morning it is being said she is staying. This is from Sky’s Beth Rigby.
Reports overnight that @SuellaBraverman has resigned. But told by a dexeu source that the former head of the ERG is still in post & it’s just @SteveBakerHW who has walked with @DavidDavisMPReports overnight that @SuellaBraverman has resigned. But told by a dexeu source that the former head of the ERG is still in post & it’s just @SteveBakerHW who has walked with @DavidDavisMP