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Theresa May would fight any no-confidence vote, says No 10 – politics live Theresa May would fight any no-confidence vote, says No 10 – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Apropos of absolutely nothing, here’s my profile from last month on Jeremy Hunt’s leadership hopes https://t.co/jufjCs7Blw
Rumours are circulating in Westminster that the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, could be asked to replace Boris Johnson as foreign secretary:
Looks like Hunt for new Foreign Sec? Goes into Downing Street... pic.twitter.com/hy0cTGp8vC
It appears Theresa May is currently asking Jeremy Hunt to be her new Foreign Secretary. Will he refuse that promotion too? Surely not...
Jeremy Hunt in Number 10
There is nothing even approaching confirmation on that at the moment, mind.
The Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, is backing the prime minister – using language very similar to that in the latter’s note to Boris Johnson:
Statement. pic.twitter.com/YxNy8dMxwi
May’s letter also contains a clear retort to Johnson’s thinly veiled reference in his own correspondence to the leave campaign’s debunked slogan about spending £350m on the NHS, instead of sending it to the EU.
May wrote that her Brexit plan would mean and end to “the days of sending vast sums of taxpayers’ money to the European Union”.
We will be able to spend that money on our priorities instead – such as the £20bn increase we have announced for the NHS budget, which means that we will soon be spending an extra £394m a week on our National Health Service.
May’s own claims on that have also raised serious questions, of course.
The prime minister also seems to strike a slightly irritated note with a now former foreign secretary whose resignation or sacking has repeatedly been mooted during her tenure.
As we developed our policy on Brexit, I have allowed cabinet colleagues considerable latitude to express their individual views. But the agreement we reached on Friday marks the point where that is no longer the case, and if you are not able to provide the support we need to secure this deal in the interests of the United Kingdom, it is right that you should step down.
The prime minister, Theresa May, has replied to Boris Johnson’s resignation by pointing out that he initially agreed to the plan over which he is now resigning. She wrote:The prime minister, Theresa May, has replied to Boris Johnson’s resignation by pointing out that he initially agreed to the plan over which he is now resigning. She wrote:
I am sorry – and a little surprised – to receive [your resignation letter] after the productive discussions we had at Chequers on Friday, and the comprehensive and detailed proposal which we agreed as a cabinet.I am sorry – and a little surprised – to receive [your resignation letter] after the productive discussions we had at Chequers on Friday, and the comprehensive and detailed proposal which we agreed as a cabinet.
It would appear Boris Johnson’s former parliamentary private secretary, Conor Burns, is following him out the door:It would appear Boris Johnson’s former parliamentary private secretary, Conor Burns, is following him out the door:
I've enjoyed a fantastic year as PPS to @BorisJohnson and six years as PPS to five different Ministers. I've decided it's time to have greater freedom. I want to see the referendum result respected. And there are others areas of policy I want to speak more openly on.I've enjoyed a fantastic year as PPS to @BorisJohnson and six years as PPS to five different Ministers. I've decided it's time to have greater freedom. I want to see the referendum result respected. And there are others areas of policy I want to speak more openly on.
With one attendee having resigned shortly after what had initially appeared to be a reasonably successful meeting of the 1922 committee for Theresa May, a packed-out meeting of the influential hard Brexit European Research Group will be one to watch:With one attendee having resigned shortly after what had initially appeared to be a reasonably successful meeting of the 1922 committee for Theresa May, a packed-out meeting of the influential hard Brexit European Research Group will be one to watch:
A bigger than usual group of 80 backbench Tory MPs has turned out for the meeting of the European Research Group tonight. Could be interesting.A bigger than usual group of 80 backbench Tory MPs has turned out for the meeting of the European Research Group tonight. Could be interesting.
Chris Green, the parliamentary private secretary to the Department for Transport, has resigned.Chris Green, the parliamentary private secretary to the Department for Transport, has resigned.
He says Brexit should not exist solely in a legalistic sense and that the prime minister failed to assuage his concerns at the meeting of the Tory backbenchers this evening – the first major sign of discontentment since that meeting ended.He says Brexit should not exist solely in a legalistic sense and that the prime minister failed to assuage his concerns at the meeting of the Tory backbenchers this evening – the first major sign of discontentment since that meeting ended.
I have handed in my resignation to the Prime Minister as PPS. Brexit must mean Brexit pic.twitter.com/zncKir9AsBI have handed in my resignation to the Prime Minister as PPS. Brexit must mean Brexit pic.twitter.com/zncKir9AsB
The Irish taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, is largely staying out of the crisis that is threatening to engulf Theresa May’s government, with his spokesperson saying the high-profile resignations of David Davis and Boris Johnson are matters for the May.The Irish taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, is largely staying out of the crisis that is threatening to engulf Theresa May’s government, with his spokesperson saying the high-profile resignations of David Davis and Boris Johnson are matters for the May.
On the Brexit negotiations, however, Varadkar’s spokesperson was much more forthright:On the Brexit negotiations, however, Varadkar’s spokesperson was much more forthright:
We welcome the fact that the British cabinet agreed collectively on detailed proposals for the future relationship between the EU and Britain on Friday. And we look forward to seeing greater detail in the UK’s white paper later this week.We welcome the fact that the British cabinet agreed collectively on detailed proposals for the future relationship between the EU and Britain on Friday. And we look forward to seeing greater detail in the UK’s white paper later this week.
There’s still a lot of work to do, particularly from the British side. Time is running out.There’s still a lot of work to do, particularly from the British side. Time is running out.
The commitments the UK has already signed up to must be translated into the withdrawal agreement and we need to intensify efforts on all outstanding issues, especially the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.The commitments the UK has already signed up to must be translated into the withdrawal agreement and we need to intensify efforts on all outstanding issues, especially the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
In his resignation letter, Boris Johnson brought up an example he has cited before about supposed EU inflexibility – delays in changing lorry standards to permit bigger windows, so drivers can more easily see cyclists and pedestrian.In his resignation letter, Boris Johnson brought up an example he has cited before about supposed EU inflexibility – delays in changing lorry standards to permit bigger windows, so drivers can more easily see cyclists and pedestrian.
In the letter, Johnson describes a meeting at Chequers in February, “when I described by frustrations, as mayor of London, in trying to protect cyclists for juggernauts. We had wanted to lower the cabin windows to improve visibility; and even though such designs were already on the market, and even though there had already been a horrific spate of deaths, mainly of female cyclists, we were told we had to wait for the EU to legislate on the matter.”In the letter, Johnson describes a meeting at Chequers in February, “when I described by frustrations, as mayor of London, in trying to protect cyclists for juggernauts. We had wanted to lower the cabin windows to improve visibility; and even though such designs were already on the market, and even though there had already been a horrific spate of deaths, mainly of female cyclists, we were told we had to wait for the EU to legislate on the matter.”
Is he justified in this? Well, yes and no. Critics said that EU rules on lorry design had tended to prioritise views via mirrors over blind spots, and campaigners had called for some time for a change.Is he justified in this? Well, yes and no. Critics said that EU rules on lorry design had tended to prioritise views via mirrors over blind spots, and campaigners had called for some time for a change.
But, when the EU did act to amend this in 2014, Johnson had directed his ire elsewhere – at the government of David Cameron, which was wary about the plans. Johnson said he was “deeply concerned at their attitude”.But, when the EU did act to amend this in 2014, Johnson had directed his ire elsewhere – at the government of David Cameron, which was wary about the plans. Johnson said he was “deeply concerned at their attitude”.
In the end the government did accept the idea, and the new, safer lorries started being permitted from this year.In the end the government did accept the idea, and the new, safer lorries started being permitted from this year.
The prime minister, Theresa May, addressed MPs at a private 1922 Committee meeting for an hour, warning them that divided parties would lose elections and that any further division risked bringing about a Labour government. She was backed by loyalist MPs such as Patrick McLoughlin and Damian Green.The prime minister, Theresa May, addressed MPs at a private 1922 Committee meeting for an hour, warning them that divided parties would lose elections and that any further division risked bringing about a Labour government. She was backed by loyalist MPs such as Patrick McLoughlin and Damian Green.
One cabinet minister said:One cabinet minister said:
If we don’t pull together, we risk the election of Jeremy Corbyn as prime minister. At least half a dozen people made that point and the prime minister responded too – what is good for the country is a Conservative government.If we don’t pull together, we risk the election of Jeremy Corbyn as prime minister. At least half a dozen people made that point and the prime minister responded too – what is good for the country is a Conservative government.
There was a strong coming-together of the party – even some Brexit MPs right on the end of the spectrum. They might have arguments with the policy, but they are backing the prime minister.There was a strong coming-together of the party – even some Brexit MPs right on the end of the spectrum. They might have arguments with the policy, but they are backing the prime minister.
MPs banged walls and chairs as the prime minister entered, a public show of support. The party chair, Brandon Lewis, said:MPs banged walls and chairs as the prime minister entered, a public show of support. The party chair, Brandon Lewis, said:
Everyone in the room is very confident of her ability to deliver. We are a wide tent, of course, with different views. This is the right package for our country.Everyone in the room is very confident of her ability to deliver. We are a wide tent, of course, with different views. This is the right package for our country.
Referring to the atmosphere in the room, one MP added:Referring to the atmosphere in the room, one MP added:
It wasn’t a chorus of dissent, but it wasn’t universally positive. Some of the Brexiters are very vigorous individuals, they make their views known in quite strong language.It wasn’t a chorus of dissent, but it wasn’t universally positive. Some of the Brexiters are very vigorous individuals, they make their views known in quite strong language.
But the hard Brexit-supporting backbencher, Jacob Rees-Mogg, whom some see as a future Tory leader, said he had not been won over.But the hard Brexit-supporting backbencher, Jacob Rees-Mogg, whom some see as a future Tory leader, said he had not been won over.
The striking thing about Chequers is that the cabinet divided between remainers and leavers in exactly the same way as they did two years ago. Those who supported remain are supporting the quasi-remain now.The striking thing about Chequers is that the cabinet divided between remainers and leavers in exactly the same way as they did two years ago. Those who supported remain are supporting the quasi-remain now.
Rees-Mogg said it was of “grave concern” that the government had briefed Labour MPs. “If they plan to get this deal through on the back of Labour votes, that would be the most divisive thing that they can do.”Rees-Mogg said it was of “grave concern” that the government had briefed Labour MPs. “If they plan to get this deal through on the back of Labour votes, that would be the most divisive thing that they can do.”
However, his fellow Brexiter MP, Geoffrey Cox, said he had been won over by the deal.However, his fellow Brexiter MP, Geoffrey Cox, said he had been won over by the deal.
It means for the first time that the EU will not make laws inside this country. I campaigned for Brexit, I am going to be able to tell people now that for the first time in 40 years, no supranational institution in the EU will be able to make a new law for this country. I don’t think that all my colleagues had understood that.It means for the first time that the EU will not make laws inside this country. I campaigned for Brexit, I am going to be able to tell people now that for the first time in 40 years, no supranational institution in the EU will be able to make a new law for this country. I don’t think that all my colleagues had understood that.
Nigel Farage says he will seek to return to his former position as the leader of Ukip “if Article 50 is suspended or delayed”. In an article for the Daily Telegraph, he writes:
In March 2019, the current leader of Ukip, Gerard Batten, will reach the end of his term in office. Unless Brexit is back on track by then, I will have to seriously consider putting my name forward to return as Ukip leader.
The White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, responding to questions about the US president Donald Trump’s visit to the UK this week in the light of recent events, has said:
The president continues to look forward to his working visit with the prime minister on 13 July, and further strengthening the US-UK special relationship.
The former deputy prime minister, Michael Heseltine, tells BBC News he believes Theresa May would win a Tory leadership contest if she invited one now because there is no one suitable to replace her.
There is no point in changing the singer unless you change the song.
May herself appears to have warned her MPs about the dangers of a damaging leadership battle:
Theresa May told Tory MPs that if they rebel against her they will end up with Jeremy Corbyn as prime minister.
We are now starting to get some noises from the meeting of the Tory backbench group, the 1922 Committee. They suggest the prime minister still had some support in the room following claims this afternoon enough backbenchers had abandoned her to force a confidence vote.
Of course, that was true of Chequers on Friday evening.
I’m told Philip Davies told 1922 Committee that May orchestrated a “Remain coup” on Friday
Brandon Lewis emerges to tell us there is huge positivity for the PM at the #1922Committee and brexiteer Geoffrey Clinton Brown says Brexiteers aren’t United in criticism - he welcomes chequers as it will lead to control of our own laws for first time in 40 years
Outside 1922 meeting Jacob Rees Mogg says it’s “a matter of grave concern” that Downing St has been briefing Labour members. He hints that if the PM tried to get Chequers through on Lab votes the Tory party would split. “But it would be a split from the top.”
Prominent remainer : ‘there will be no leadership challenge now ‘ after #1922Committee
Here’s the full text of Boris Johnson’s resignation letter to the prime minister, Theresa May:
Dear Theresa
It is more than two years since the British people voted to leave the European Union on an unambiguous and categorical promise that if the did so they would be taking back control of their democracy.
They were told that they would be able to manage their own immigration policy, repatriate the sums of UK cash currently spent by the EU, and, above all, that they would be able to pass laws independently and in the interests of the people of this country.
Brexit should be about opportunity and hope. It should be a chance to do things differently, to be more nimble and dynamic, and to maximise the particular advantages of the UK as an open, outward-looking global economy.
That dream is dying, suffocated by needless self-doubt.
We have postponed crucial decisions – including the preparations for no deal, as I argued in my letter to you of last November – with the result that we appear to be heading for a semi-Brexit, with large parts of the economy still locked in the EU system, but with no UK control over that system.
It now seems that the opening bid of our negotiations involves accepting that we are not actually going to be able to make our own laws. Indeed we seem to have gone backwards since the last Chequers meeting in February, when I described my frustrations, as Mayor of London, in trying to protect cyclists from juggernauts. We had wanted to lower the cabin windows to improve visibility; and even though such designs were already on the market, and even though there had been a horrific spate of deaths, mainly female cyclists, we were told that we had to wait for the EU to legislate on the matter.
So, at the previous Chequers session we thrashed out an elaborate procedure for divergence from EU rules. But even now that seems to have been taken off the table and there is in fact no easy UK right of initiative. Yet if Brexit is to mean anything, it must surely give ministers and parliament the chance to do things differently to protect the public. If a country cannot pass a law to save the lives of female cyclists – when that proposal is supported at every level of UK government – then I don’t see how that country can truly be called independent.
Conversely, the British government has spent decades arguing against this or that EU directive, on the grounds that it was too burdensome or ill-thought out. We are now in the ludicrous position of asserting that we must accept huge amounts of precisely such EU law, without changing it an iota, because it is essential for our economic health – and when we no longer have the ability to influence these laws as they are made.
In that respect we are truly headed for the status of colony – and many will struggle to see the economic or political advantages of that particular arrangement.
It is also clear that by surrendering control over our rulebook for goods and agrifoods (and much else besides) we will make it much more difficult to do free trade deals. And then there is the further impediment of having to argue for an impractical and undeliverable customs arrangement unlike any other in existence.
What is even more disturbing is that this is our opening bid. This is already how we see the end state for the UK – before the other side has made its counter-offer. It is as though we are sending our vanguard into battle with the white flags fluttering above them. Indeed, I was concerned, looking at Friday’s document, that there might be further concessions on immigration, or that we might end up effectively paying for access to the single market.
On Friday I acknowledged that my side of the argument were too few to prevail, and congratulated you on at least reaching a cabinet decision on the way forward. As I said then, the government now has a song to sing. The trouble is that I have practised the words over the weekend and find that they stick in the throat. We must have collective responsibility. Since I cannot in all conscience champion these proposals, I have sadly concluded that I must go.
I am proud to have served as foreign secretary in your government. As I step down, I would like first to thank the patient officers of the Metropolitan police who have looked after me and my family, at times in demanding circumstances. I am proud too of the extraordinary men and women of our diplomatic service. Over the last few months they have shown how many friends this country has around the world, as 28 governments expelled Russian spies in an unprecedented protest at the attempted assassination of the Skripals. They have organised a highly successful Commonwealth summit and secured record international support for this government’s campaign for 12 years of quality education for every girl, and much more besides. As I leave office, the [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] now has the largest and by far the most effective diplomatic network of any country in Europe - a continent which we will never leave.
Boris Johnson
In his letter, Johnson refers to the various promises that were made by the leave campaigners, among whom he was prominent, saying:
It is more than two years since the British people voted to leave the European Union on an unambiguous and categorical promise that if the did so they would be taking back control of their democracy.
They were told that they would be able to manage their own immigration policy, repatriate the sums of UK cash currently spent by the EU, and, above all, that they would be able to pass laws independently and in the interests of the people of this country.
The former foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, has told the prime minister the UK is “headed for the status of colony” under the approach the cabinet adopted at Chequers on Friday. In his resignation letter to Theresa May, he added that the Brexit “dream is dying”.
Describing May’s position, which he – along with the rest of the cabinet – initially backed, as just an opening offer that would be watered down yet further during negotiations, Johnson wrote:
It is as though we are sending our vanguard into battle with the white flags fluttering above them.
He told the prime minister he believed the UK was “heading for a semi-Brexit”.
Bernard Jenkin, the Conservative Brexiter, has said Boris Johnson “acted on principle” when he resigned from the cabinet, the FT’s Laura Hughes reports.
Bernard Jenkin tells the FT #BorisJohnson “has acted on principle.”
That is not the way many people would characterise Johnson’s behaviour. As a reminder, this is what Tim Shipman said about Johnson’s conduct at the Friday cabinet meeting at Chequers in the Sunday Times (paywall) yesterday.
Boris Johnson was joking but his frustration was self-evident. The foreign secretary was blunt about Theresa May’s new plan for Brexit. “It’s a big turd,” he pronounced to the cabinet. It was the morning session of the prime minister’s Friday summit at Chequers aimed at thrashing out a negotiating position for a trade deal with Brussels.
In what was described by one minister present as “a six-minute moan”, Johnson complained that May’s customs plan — in which the UK will collect tariffs on behalf of the European Union — and which the foreign secretary had thought was dead, had instead “emerged zombie-like from the coffin”.
He warned May and her spin doctors that plans to accept EU rules on the sales of goods going forward would leave Britain a “vassal state”. It was a clear failure to fulfil the referendum pledge to “take back control of our laws”.
Anyone defending the proposal “will be polishing a turd” if they wished to sell the deal to the public and the party, he said, pointing out that he had recently watched similar activities on a trip to Whipsnade zoo. “I see there are some expert turd polishers here,” he added ...
Yet by the time dinner of cured Scottish salmon and Oxfordshire beef fillet was served, the Brexiteers were cowed. Davis gave a speech explaining how the blueprint could be sold to the EU. Johnson, now a cheerleader, said they must all help to sell the deal ...
This weekend Johnson’s allies said he had stayed because he fears that if he left the cabinet there would be further concessions and it would make life easier for senior figures in the EU.
“The only people who would benefit from Boris leaving the cabinet would be [Michel] Barnier, [Angela] Merkel and [Martin] Selmayr,” a friend said.
That’s all from me for today.
My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is taking over now.
Sir Alan Duncan, the Foreign Office minister, has paid this tribute to his former boss.
I had two amazing years in the foreign office working with Boris Johnson. He was and remains a larger than life figure, one of politics’ great characters. He was probably the best known foreign secretary before he became foreign secretary and I am sure he will contribute massively still to British politics and I think we should just really say to him thank you for playing your part in public life in the way you have.
A lot of what he did in the foreign office was not seen by people outside. He was a supremely strong character in diplomatic lobbying and persuasion. I really enjoyed working for him, and I count him as a friend.