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Theresa May to meet new cabinet after Boris Johnson's Brexit resignation – live Theresa May to meet new cabinet after Boris Johnson's Brexit resignation – live
(35 minutes later)
The new health secretary Matt Hancock has arrived for the cabinet meeting in Downing Street, taking place now.
He is showing photographers the NHS pin badge on his lapel - the same as the one worn every day by his predecessor Jeremy Hunt. No word on whether it is the same badge...
Here are a few more cabinet ministers arriving for the meeting at Downing Street - including a very jolly looking Jeremy Hunt, the new foreign secretary.
The former defence secretary Michael Fallon has been speaking on the Today programme. He hints he does not think the resignations from the cabinet will be fatal.The former defence secretary Michael Fallon has been speaking on the Today programme. He hints he does not think the resignations from the cabinet will be fatal.
He says Johnson’s resignation letter that “the Brexit dream is dying” is not the reality.He says Johnson’s resignation letter that “the Brexit dream is dying” is not the reality.
He uses this phrase, the dream is over, and dreaming is good for everyone but in the real world, the vast bulk of trade and manufactured goods, whether you like it or not... is at the moment with that huge common market on our doorstep.He uses this phrase, the dream is over, and dreaming is good for everyone but in the real world, the vast bulk of trade and manufactured goods, whether you like it or not... is at the moment with that huge common market on our doorstep.
He says there is “no alternative” apart from ensuring the UK has a smooth entry to the European market after Brexit.He says there is “no alternative” apart from ensuring the UK has a smooth entry to the European market after Brexit.
Cabinet ministers are now beginning to arrive in Downing Street. There are two new attendees - Brexit secretary Dominic Raab and attorney general Geoffrey Cox. It will be the first cabinet in new roles for foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, health secretary Matt Hancock and culture secretary Jeremy Wright.Cabinet ministers are now beginning to arrive in Downing Street. There are two new attendees - Brexit secretary Dominic Raab and attorney general Geoffrey Cox. It will be the first cabinet in new roles for foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, health secretary Matt Hancock and culture secretary Jeremy Wright.
Gauke does not rule out making further concessions. He says it is a negotiation.Gauke does not rule out making further concessions. He says it is a negotiation.
It requires compromises from both sides... What we are doing is taking the initiative.It requires compromises from both sides... What we are doing is taking the initiative.
He says the job of cabinet ministers now is to explain the deal to parliamentary colleagues and European counterparts.He says the job of cabinet ministers now is to explain the deal to parliamentary colleagues and European counterparts.
Gauke suggests a ‘no deal’ scenario is not attractive but cannot be ruled out.Gauke suggests a ‘no deal’ scenario is not attractive but cannot be ruled out.
What I would say to my colleagues, for those who think this is a pain-free solution we can ride over easily is that no deal will have a negative impact on our constituents, the British people.What I would say to my colleagues, for those who think this is a pain-free solution we can ride over easily is that no deal will have a negative impact on our constituents, the British people.
Gauke says businesses have repeatedly made the case for frictionless trade with the EU and warning about the significant economic impact if that happens. That will not happen under this plan, he says.Gauke says businesses have repeatedly made the case for frictionless trade with the EU and warning about the significant economic impact if that happens. That will not happen under this plan, he says.
He says that if people do not like this proposal - “what is their alternative?”He says that if people do not like this proposal - “what is their alternative?”
It is all very well for people to say ‘I wouldn’t do this’ but remember the three options in front of us are the EEA, which doesn’t respect the referendum result, a free trade agreement, which leaves Northern Ireland in a different position which is very threatening to the union or a no deal. A no deal on bad terms as well.It is all very well for people to say ‘I wouldn’t do this’ but remember the three options in front of us are the EEA, which doesn’t respect the referendum result, a free trade agreement, which leaves Northern Ireland in a different position which is very threatening to the union or a no deal. A no deal on bad terms as well.
If that is the situation we are in, it is necessary for the UK government to come forward with another proposal.If that is the situation we are in, it is necessary for the UK government to come forward with another proposal.
Gauke says it has long been the position of the government that Brexit should not undercut employment or environment regulation.Gauke says it has long been the position of the government that Brexit should not undercut employment or environment regulation.
He says he does not know which regulation Johnson is specifically objecting to.He says he does not know which regulation Johnson is specifically objecting to.
Gauke says regulation for goods has not changed significantly in recent years, which is not the case with services. The Chequers deal proposes a UK-EU free trade area for goods, by using a “common rulebook” with the EU, but accepts there may be new restrictions on services.Gauke says regulation for goods has not changed significantly in recent years, which is not the case with services. The Chequers deal proposes a UK-EU free trade area for goods, by using a “common rulebook” with the EU, but accepts there may be new restrictions on services.
George Osborne and his chief of staff Rupert Harrison used to famously say “Uncork the Gauke” when they had a tricky policy to defend and send out David Gauke, then a Treasury minister, on the airwaves and to the Commons.George Osborne and his chief of staff Rupert Harrison used to famously say “Uncork the Gauke” when they had a tricky policy to defend and send out David Gauke, then a Treasury minister, on the airwaves and to the Commons.
After the drama of yesterday, Number 10 has decided to follow their advice and has un-corked the now Justice secretary.After the drama of yesterday, Number 10 has decided to follow their advice and has un-corked the now Justice secretary.
He says he was surprised by the resignations given the “convivial” atmosphere of Chequers on Friday.He says he was surprised by the resignations given the “convivial” atmosphere of Chequers on Friday.
Clearly David and Boris have reached their conclusions that they couldn’t support the policy. I think it is right the cabinet backs the prime minister and speaks with one voice and if people don’t do that then clearly the honourable thing to do is go.Clearly David and Boris have reached their conclusions that they couldn’t support the policy. I think it is right the cabinet backs the prime minister and speaks with one voice and if people don’t do that then clearly the honourable thing to do is go.
He says he does not accept Johnson’s verdict that UK is becoming a colony. He says parliament will still have a vote on whether to accept future regulation.He says he does not accept Johnson’s verdict that UK is becoming a colony. He says parliament will still have a vote on whether to accept future regulation.
Justice secretary David Gauke is about to speak on BBC Radio 4 Today programme.Justice secretary David Gauke is about to speak on BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
Presenter John Humphrys reveals first that Boris Johnson turned down the invitation to appear on the programme this morning in the main 8.10 slot, unlike David Davis who was on the show on Monday morning. He speculates that is because Johnson may not have ruled out a run for the leadership, unlike Davis, who explicitly did.Presenter John Humphrys reveals first that Boris Johnson turned down the invitation to appear on the programme this morning in the main 8.10 slot, unlike David Davis who was on the show on Monday morning. He speculates that is because Johnson may not have ruled out a run for the leadership, unlike Davis, who explicitly did.
Here are how some of the papers view the departure of Boris Johnson and the future of May’s Brexit plan.Here are how some of the papers view the departure of Boris Johnson and the future of May’s Brexit plan.
The Guardian says it is “good riddance to a national embarrassment.”The Guardian says it is “good riddance to a national embarrassment.”
Mr Johnson is the most overrated politician in Britain, especially by himself. He was an embarrassingly useless foreign secretary. He diminished Britain’s standing in the world and he diminished his own reputation by the way he played his role, not least by his praise for Donald Trump. He was simply not up to the job. But Mr Johnson does not do serious. He does self-interest. The British government is better off without him.Mr Johnson is the most overrated politician in Britain, especially by himself. He was an embarrassingly useless foreign secretary. He diminished Britain’s standing in the world and he diminished his own reputation by the way he played his role, not least by his praise for Donald Trump. He was simply not up to the job. But Mr Johnson does not do serious. He does self-interest. The British government is better off without him.
The Times is equally damning about Johnson’s tenure.The Times is equally damning about Johnson’s tenure.
This is a resignation that has been coming for some time. Few will be surprised. Mr Johnson has been insubordinate for a while, seeming to dare Theresa May to sack him. He has shown no inclination to compromise on anything while at no point offering a constructive suggestion about what the government might feasibly do.This is a resignation that has been coming for some time. Few will be surprised. Mr Johnson has been insubordinate for a while, seeming to dare Theresa May to sack him. He has shown no inclination to compromise on anything while at no point offering a constructive suggestion about what the government might feasibly do.
If his resignation does not trigger serious consequences for the government’s future, Mr Johnson’s departure will be greeted warmly in international capitals, where he has not been taken at all seriously.If his resignation does not trigger serious consequences for the government’s future, Mr Johnson’s departure will be greeted warmly in international capitals, where he has not been taken at all seriously.
It is impossible to see his resignation through any prism other than his own overweening ambition.It is impossible to see his resignation through any prism other than his own overweening ambition.
Across the pond, the New York Times also says Johnson’s departure is good news.Across the pond, the New York Times also says Johnson’s departure is good news.
Good Riddance, Boris Johnson. The resignation of Britain’s foreign secretary could make it easier for Prime Minister Theresa May to reach a more reasonable agreement on Brexit.Good Riddance, Boris Johnson. The resignation of Britain’s foreign secretary could make it easier for Prime Minister Theresa May to reach a more reasonable agreement on Brexit.
If her government weathers the resulting storm, their departures could help resolve the tortuous divorce negotiations with the European Union, which are approaching crucial deadlines.If her government weathers the resulting storm, their departures could help resolve the tortuous divorce negotiations with the European Union, which are approaching crucial deadlines.
Only the Telegraph defends its former columnist, saying May must rethink.Only the Telegraph defends its former columnist, saying May must rethink.
In our view, she should think again. The Chequers deal is a bad set of proposals that will encourage the EU to demand yet more concessions.In our view, she should think again. The Chequers deal is a bad set of proposals that will encourage the EU to demand yet more concessions.
Mrs May continues to assert that the UK will be leaving the customs union and the single market; yet the Chequers deal means we will be retaining elements of both.Mrs May continues to assert that the UK will be leaving the customs union and the single market; yet the Chequers deal means we will be retaining elements of both.
Mr Johnson says we will be a colony of the EU. Are Conservative MPs happy with that? If not, what do they propose to do about it?Mr Johnson says we will be a colony of the EU. Are Conservative MPs happy with that? If not, what do they propose to do about it?
Even the Sun says there is no alternative plan on the table.Even the Sun says there is no alternative plan on the table.
For all the justified rage of Brexit-backing Tories, which The Sun shares, we don’t hear a strategy that could win a vote in a Remain-dominated ­Parliament or secure a deal in Brussels.For all the justified rage of Brexit-backing Tories, which The Sun shares, we don’t hear a strategy that could win a vote in a Remain-dominated ­Parliament or secure a deal in Brussels.
They may vote down Mrs May’s — or even topple her. How will they stop Remainers from signing us up to the Customs Union, an even greater disaster for Brexit?They may vote down Mrs May’s — or even topple her. How will they stop Remainers from signing us up to the Customs Union, an even greater disaster for Brexit?
Boris’s resignation letter said the Government strategy was ‘suffocated by needless self-doubt’. Absolutely bang on — but is there a Plan B for Boris?Boris’s resignation letter said the Government strategy was ‘suffocated by needless self-doubt’. Absolutely bang on — but is there a Plan B for Boris?
Labour leader Tom Watson is on BBC Radio 4 Today. He says Labour want to work to get the best deal for the country.Labour leader Tom Watson is on BBC Radio 4 Today. He says Labour want to work to get the best deal for the country.
Is the current meltdown in the government good for anyone? Obviously electorally it might help my party but we want a good deal because families out there require parliament to vote on a good deal.Is the current meltdown in the government good for anyone? Obviously electorally it might help my party but we want a good deal because families out there require parliament to vote on a good deal.
He is scathing about Boris Johnson saying he has “got a career ahead of him on ‘love yourself island.”He is scathing about Boris Johnson saying he has “got a career ahead of him on ‘love yourself island.”
Presenter John Humphrys says the name of the programme is Love Island, but Watson said it should be a new programme.Presenter John Humphrys says the name of the programme is Love Island, but Watson said it should be a new programme.
He’s the only politician in history who posed to signing his own resignation letter.He’s the only politician in history who posed to signing his own resignation letter.
Watson says Labour is clear about its different set of priorities and its tests for the deal, though he confesses he may not be able to remember them all.Watson says Labour is clear about its different set of priorities and its tests for the deal, though he confesses he may not be able to remember them all.
He says it is conceivable that there is “no majority in parliament for any Brexit deal” and says Labour has not ruled out a second referendum.He says it is conceivable that there is “no majority in parliament for any Brexit deal” and says Labour has not ruled out a second referendum.
It is highly, highly, highly unlikely we would support a people’s vote but we haven’t taken that off the table because there are a rare set of circumstances where Parliament just can’t make a decision. And so you keep your options open.It is highly, highly, highly unlikely we would support a people’s vote but we haven’t taken that off the table because there are a rare set of circumstances where Parliament just can’t make a decision. And so you keep your options open.
Tom Watson says Labour is keeping options open about supporting another referendum, if Parliament cannot make a decision.Tom Watson says Labour is keeping options open about supporting another referendum, if Parliament cannot make a decision.
Michael Howard, the former Conservative leader, has been speaking on Radio 4 Today’s programme. He says MPs should not seek to topple the prime minister.
Perhaps a degree of humility is called for all round.
I do think it would be extremely foolish and ill-advised for anyone to send in letters to mount a motion of no confidence in the prime minister.
Howard says there is no prospect of May abandoning the plan but says he hopes there is a chance of modification. He said he would have preferred the original concept of “alignment” rather than a common rulebook.
He says there will be deep unhappiness if further concessions are made in negotiations.
"I don't believe the Brexit dream is dying - there is much water to run through many bridges," Michael Howard tells @BBCr4today, confirming that the Tory party has reached the Simon And Garfunkel stage of its break-up.
Here’s the verdict of Boris Johnson’s tenure at the FCO by the Attorney General of Anguilla, who doesn’t mince words.
Meeting the worst Foreign Secretary we’ve ever had amongst the destruction of Hurricane Irma in Anguilla. Disinterested and out of his depth he cared nothing for our situation. Good riddance pic.twitter.com/udzzpoZ7OW
So who are the other cabinet Brexiters and is there a chance of more resignations? For now, May appears to be safe, though that could change quickly.
The Telegraph reports Penny Mordaunt and Esther McVey have no plans to resign, the other cabinet members who have stayed quiet since the Chequers’ summit. Michael Gove was on the BBC on Sunday defending the deal and both Chris Grayling and Liam Fox have authored newspaper op-eds on its merits.
Another Brexiter, Andrea Leadsom, leader of the House of Commons was on Newsnight last night. “I don’t agree with Boris on this,” Leadsom said.
I have the greatest regard for him, but at the same time I judge this by our red lines as Brexiteers. Are we leaving the EU? Are we taking back control? Are we leaving the customs union and the single market? Will we get rid of free movement? And we will do all of those things.
Good morning, I’m Jessica Elgot taking over from Graham Russell while Andrew Sparrow is away.
Theresa May is preparing to meet her new-look cabinet this morning, including foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, health secretary Matt Hancock, culture secretary Jeremy Wright and new attorney general Geoffrey Cox, who will be attending cabinet. Also newly attending is Dominic Raab, the new Brexit secretary.
Three of them have been publicly effusive about the Chequers deal, agreed at the cabinet summit last Friday, suggesting it is not quite dead yet despite the resignations of David Davis and Boris Johnson, plus a number of other junior ministers.
Huge honour to be appointed Foreign Secretary at this critical moment in our country’s history. Time to back our PM to get a great Brexit deal - it's now or never...
Hunt was on the airwaves yesterday defending the deal immediately after Davis’ resignation, Hancock has been publicly supportive and just hours before his promotion, keen Brexiter Cox was giving a tub-thumping speech at the 1922 committee of backbenchers on why the deal was a “radical step” in taking back control of UK law.
Missing from the airwaves - so far - is Boris Johnson, although he did invited a professional photographer to capture him signing his resignation letter.
We all know that Boris Johnson’s decision to quit is absolutely not about one man and his personal ambitions, but I’m struggling to think of another time where a Secretary of State called in the photographers to record the moment a resignation letter was signed. https://t.co/35FEuuh9dV
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson is on Today and I’ll bring you those comments shortly. The cabinet minister being sent out to bat today by Number 10 is David Gauke, another May loyalist and soft Brexiter, who’ll be on the Today programme later.
All eyes are now on the reaction from Europe. German chancellor Angela Merkel arrives in London for the second day of the Western Balkans summit - the one Johnson never turned up to because he was in the process of quitting his job.
Later in the day, there will be a joint press conference featuring May, Merkel and other European leaders.
Here’s our main story this morning:
You can read all today’s Guardian politics stories here. Here is the Politico London Playbook round-up of this morning’s political news from Jack Blanchard.
If you wanted to mull over the death of Johnson’s Brexit vision writ large across some of today’s front pages, here is his letter of resignation in full, followed by May’s response.
Dan Sabbagh has taken at look at where the three key figures now stand:
Theresa May
She remains in a strong position. Two high-profile critics of her Brexit approach have quit and there appears to be no immediate prospect of a challenge to her leadership. Even if there were, May remains the favourite. She now has the opportunity to consolidate her grip on the cabinet and develop her Brexit approach, assuming the European Union responds positively to her Chequers plan. Nevertheless, the next 48 hours remain critical.
Michael Gove
The ambitious environment secretary appears eager to prove his loyalty to May, at least judging by his appearance on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show where he said “in all the important areas” the UK would be a sovereign country under May’s Brexit plan. Gove’s reputation within the Tory party was in tatters after he broke with Boris Johnson in 2016 and ran for the leadership: he now has the opportunity to show he can be loyal and perhaps earn promotion.
Jacob Rees-Mogg
The European Research Group, chaired by Rees-Mogg, has a choice to make. Do they try to rally 48 names to force a vote of no confidence in May at a time when it appears she would be likely to see off a challenge? Party rules say there can be no further challenge for 12 months, making biding time an attractive option if they are convinced May will come unstuck negotiating a soft Brexit deal they find unpalatable.
Rees-Mogg was emphasising in interviews on Monday that he would not be able to vote for May’s final exit deal if it were on the lines of the Chequers agreement.
Today’s Guardian editorial after Johnson’s resignation (“good riddance to a national embarrassment”) looks at the Conservative party’s tensions and May’s exhausting efforts to maintain stability.
The Tory party has a historic reputation for being serious about power. But the modern Tory party can also be an extraordinarily febrile hothouse. It now faces a battle that was always going to have to be fought eventually, between the fanatics of the right and the pragmatists of the centre-right. Mrs May has been tenacious and sometimes skilful (though sometimes not) in postponing the battle. But the moment has arrived – and it must be resolved.
Former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind appears relaxed about the departures of Boris Johnson and David Davis and believes the cabinet will be stronger for it.
Some excerpts from his opinion piece published today:
As the dust settles, and as British industry adapts to us not being in the EU, we will be able to assert greater freedom even if, over the longer term, we sacrifice some automatic access to European markets. It might take five or 10 years but what is that in the life of a nation?
The resignations of the foreign and Brexit secretaries are causing a short-term crisis, but a large majority of Conservative MPs do not support them. They are what the Chinese would call ‘paper tigers’.”
Johnson’s behaviour has been disgraceful. Having insulted the prime minister at Chequers he then found, over dinner that evening, unconvincing reasons for continuing in her cabinet. Now he lamely follows in Davis’s wake.
If Dominic Raab succeeds in his mission, we will have a highly credible new potential successor to the prime minister. John Major came from behind to claim the crown from Margaret Thatcher; this may be the day we see history repeating itself.
This is what happens when you have men in government who've been raised from birth to believe it's someone else's job to clean up after them. They throw tantrums when they finally make a mess no-one can fix. #Brexit
Justin Madders , Labour’s shadow health minister, has responded to Jeremy Hunt’s ascension, accusing him of overseeing “the worst collapse in patient standards of any health secretary in the history of the NHS”.
“His time in charge will be remembered for soaring waiting lists, huge staffing shortages, and patients left with treatments rationed and operations cancelled in record numbers,” he said.