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Pressure grows on May to quit as support for 'new' Brexit deal slips away Pressure grows on May to quit as Leadsom resigns over Brexit deal
(about 4 hours later)
Theresa May’s position appears increasingly precarious as she faces calls from senior members of the cabinet to pull a planned vote on her “new” Brexit deal. Theresa May faces the stark choice of quitting or being turfed out of Downing Street by her own party, after Andrea Leadsom resigned from the cabinet amid a furious backlash against the prime minister’s “new Brexit deal”.
Sajid Javid, David Mundell and Penny Mordaunt are among the cabinet ministers who are unhappy about May’s pledge to hold a vote on a referendum, during the passage of her Brexit bill. Leadsom quit on Wednesday evening, using her resignation letter to attack the ill-discipline of her cabinet colleagues, and warn that she no longer believed its approach would “deliver on the referendum result”.
Others, including Michael Gove, have suggested it looks impossible to win a majority for the withdrawal agreement bill (Wab) – and suggested the promised vote on it in early June should be pulled. As leader of the House of Commons, she had been expected to give details on Thursday of how the government intends to proceed with the withdrawal agreement bill, support for which continued to drain away on Wednesday.
May was granted a stay of execution last week by the 1922 Committee of backbench MPs in order to give her one last chance to offer a vote on her Brexit bill, which is due to receive its second reading in early June.
With little prospect that the legislation could pass, the prime minister is coming under growing pressure to quit, and the chief whip is expected to address backbench MPs.
The foreign affairs committee chair, Tom Tugendhat, became the latest senior backbencher to call for her to resign.
“The Conservative party has one last chance to save the country from this disaster. The only question that matters now is what – and crucially who – comes next,” he said, in an article in the Financial Times.
The promise that MPs would be allowed a vote on whether a “confirmatory” referendum should be held was one of the most eye-catching pledges in the prime minister’s speech on Tuesday.
She stressed that the government did not favour a referendum, but said MPs would be allowed a vote. If the proposal commanded a majority, the government would then legislate for a referendum to take place.
The pledge failed to win over supporters of a People’s Vote, who urged May to make a firm promise to hold a referendum.
But it has infuriated several senior members of May’s cabinet – some of whom felt it went further than plans discussed in a three-hour cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.
May’s spokesman insisted ministers had signed up to her proposals, however. “There was discussion at cabinet on these matters,” he said. “The PM summed up in the usual way. She set out she would be giving a speech later on. The speech reflects the position that was agreed yesterday.”
Mundell, the Scotland secretary, asked for a meeting with May, as did Javid, while Mordaunt also expressed her concerns to the prime minister.
Mundell, who does not have a reputation as a cabinet rebel, was said by allies to feel that any hint that the Conservatives are open to another Brexit referendum would make it harder to win the argument in Scotland.
“The way that it’s been presented allows it to be exploited by the nationalists,” said an ally of Mundell. However, he insisted the Scottish secretary was not going to call for May’s resignation.
The Scottish National party leader, Nicola Sturgeon, tweeted on Monday night that by edging towards a referendum, May had put the Scottish conservatives “on something of a sticky wicket”.
The PM might not have guaranteed a second EU referendum, but her promise of a vote on one puts the Scottish Tories ‘vote for us for no more referendums on anything ever’ pitch on something of a sticky wicket. Just an amusing aside.
May has insisted she will press ahead with bringing the Wab before parliament, despite widespread scepticism at Westminster that it can pass.
Since May announced her 10-point plan in a speech on Tuesday, dozens of her own MPs who supported her deal in March have said they cannot support it.
1 The government will seek to conclude alternative arrangements to replace the backstop by December 2020.1 The government will seek to conclude alternative arrangements to replace the backstop by December 2020.
2 Should the backstop come into force, the government will ensure that Great Britain will stay aligned with Northern Ireland.2 Should the backstop come into force, the government will ensure that Great Britain will stay aligned with Northern Ireland.
3 The negotiating objectives and final treaties for our future relationship with the EU will have to be approved by MPs.3 The negotiating objectives and final treaties for our future relationship with the EU will have to be approved by MPs.
4 A new workers’ rights bill that guarantees workers’ rights will be no less favourable than in the EU.4 A new workers’ rights bill that guarantees workers’ rights will be no less favourable than in the EU.
5 No change in the level of environmental protection.5 No change in the level of environmental protection.
6 The UK will seek as close to frictionless trade in goods with the EU as possible while outside the single market and ending free movement.6 The UK will seek as close to frictionless trade in goods with the EU as possible while outside the single market and ending free movement.
7 We will keep up to date with EU rules for goods and agri-food products that are relevant to checks at border protecting the thousands of jobs that depend on just-in-time supply chains.7 We will keep up to date with EU rules for goods and agri-food products that are relevant to checks at border protecting the thousands of jobs that depend on just-in-time supply chains.
8 The government will bring forward a customs compromise for MPs to decide on to break the deadlock.8 The government will bring forward a customs compromise for MPs to decide on to break the deadlock.
9 There will be a vote for MPs on whether the deal should be subject to a referendum.9 There will be a vote for MPs on whether the deal should be subject to a referendum.
10 There will be a legal duty to secure changes to the political declaration to reflect this new deal.10 There will be a legal duty to secure changes to the political declaration to reflect this new deal.
Gove appeared to hint on Wednesday morning that the government could delay the second reading of the bill – the first opportunity for MPs to vote on it – which Downing Street has said will happen in the week beginning 3 June. Leadsom’s departure came after the embattled prime minister agreed to a pivotal meeting on Friday with Graham Brady, the chair of the backbench 1922 Committee, following European elections that are widely expected to see the Conservatives trounced by Nigel Farage’s Brexit party.
Gove said there was time to “reflect” and consider the options, raising the prospect that the prime minister would have to pull the vote. “Graham hinted that he expects her to resign. We all expect her to resign. We just wish we could do it before recess,” said one MP on Wednesday evening. MPs are due to leave Westminster on Thursday and not return until 4 June.
But in response to a question from the former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, May said, “We’ve already made the government’s position clear in relation to this: the second reading of the withdrawal agreement bill will be brought to the house after the Whitsun recess.” On a day of high drama in the corridors of Westminster, where Tory MPs met to decide May’s fate, there was a growing chorus of calls for her to drop the withdrawal bill and quit before being forced out.
Sajid Javid, David Mundell and Penny Mordaunt privately signalled their unhappiness about her most eye-catching pledge: a vote on whether a second Brexit referendum should be held.
Others, including Michael Gove, believe it will be impossible to win a majority for the bill and have suggested the promised vote on it in early June should be pulled.
Leadsom told colleagues at a meeting of the so-called “Pizza Club” of cabinet Brexiters on Wednesday morning that she was considering resigning, but none of them suggested they would follow suit.
May declined to schedule meetings with several cabinet ministers, including Javid and Mundell, who had planned to express their displeasure at her pledge of a vote on a referendum. Downing Street sources would only say that she could meet foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt on Thursday.
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith told ITV: “The sofa is up against the door, she’s not leaving.”
The prime minister played the final card of her turbulent premiership in a speech on Tuesday, laying out what she called a “bold” offer to MPs, including concessions on workers’ rights, the Northern Ireland border, and on parliament’s role in future Brexit talks.
But long before she stood up to present the “new Brexit deal” to MPs on Wednesday, it was clear that it had failed to win over the Labour MPs she had hoped to tempt – while alienating a string of Tory backbenchers, and infuriating several key cabinet ministers.
A meeting of the executive of the 1922 Committee, which would decide the terms for any future leadership race, was adjourned so that Julian Smith, the chief whip, could address them first.
Smith went in to the meeting for two minutes. Those present said he reiterated that May was “not going anywhere”.
After a 45-minute meeting of the executive, forcing MPs, peers and journalists to wait in the corridor, MPs were invited in for a two-minute meeting and briefed on Brady and the executive’s plan.
Outside, MPs insisted that May “will be gone by Monday at the latest”. Another said: “We have kicked the can yet again. Let’s hope she goes this time.”
Andrew Bridgen, the Brexiter MP, said: “Mr Brady will meet her on Friday. She is going to be out campaigning for the European elections tomorrow. And based on his conversation with the PM he will have a meeting with the executive to decide whether they will change the rules or not.
“I asked the question, given that the results will not be out till Sunday or Monday, what more will you know on Friday than you know now? He declined to answer that.”
It is with great regret and a heavy heart that I have decided to resign from the Government. pic.twitter.com/f2SOXkaqmH
Labour seized on the chaos in the Conservative party to renew its calls for a general election. “The prime minister’s authority is shot and her time is up,” said party chair Ian Lavery.
“While the Tories are ripping themselves apart, our country is in crisis. The government has made a catastrophic mess of the Brexit negotiations, our steel industry is under threat and universal credit is pushing people into poverty.
“For the sake of the country, Theresa May needs to go, and we need an immediate general election.”
May has insisted the government does not favour a referendum, but said MPs would be allowed to vote on the idea. If the proposal commanded a majority, the government would then legislate for a referendum to take place.
Several cabinet ministers felt that went further than what had been agreed at a fraught three-hour meeting on Tuesday morning.
May was granted a stay of execution last week by the 1922 Committee in order to give her one last chance to present her Brexit deal in parliament – something that looked increasingly unlikely late on Wednesday.
No 10 sources were however still adamant on Wednesday that that withdrawal bill would be published on Friday.
Mundell, who does not have a reputation as a cabinet rebel, was said by allies to feel that any hint that the Conservatives are open to another Brexit referendum would make it harder to win the argument in Scotland.
“The way that it’s been presented allows it to be exploited by the nationalists,” said an ally of Mundell. However, he insisted the Scottish secretary was not going to call for May’s resignation.
The Scottish National party leader, Nicola Sturgeon, tweeted on Monday night that by edging towards a referendum, May had put the Scottish Conservatives “on something of a sticky wicket”.
The PM might not have guaranteed a second EU referendum, but her promise of a vote on one puts the Scottish Tories ‘vote for us for no more referendums on anything ever’ pitch on something of a sticky wicket. Just an amusing aside.
Members of the 1922 Committee were told that the second reading of the bill; is scheduled for Friday 7 June. Mark Francois, the deputy chair of the pro-leave European Research Group, said: “I bet £50 for Help for Heroes that the second reading of the Wab will never, ever happen.”
Since May announced her 10-point plan in a speech on Tuesday, dozens of her own MPs who supported her deal in March have said they cannot support it, leaving her increasingly isolated.
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, robustly rejected May’s 10-point plan, and called for a general election to resolve the deadlock.The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, robustly rejected May’s 10-point plan, and called for a general election to resolve the deadlock.
He said: “Our country needs leadership to bring us together. However, this prime minister is not the person to do this,” he said, responding to her statement in the House of Commons.”Throughout the last three years, she has made no attempt to unite the country. She has been focused only on keeping her divided party together. It hasn’t worked. And now her time has now run out.”She no longer has the authority to offer a compromise and cannot deliver. That is why it is time for a general election to break the Brexit deadlock and give the country a say.” He said: “Our country needs leadership to bring us together. However, this prime minister is not the person to do this,” he said, responding to her statement in the House of Commons.
May’s spokesman insisted she would not bow to pressure to resign immediately, saying she knew there was a “job of work to do” to persuade MPs to back her deal.May’s spokesman insisted she would not bow to pressure to resign immediately, saying she knew there was a “job of work to do” to persuade MPs to back her deal.
Asked whether the prime minister would quit if the Conservative vote fell below 10% in the European elections, he said: “We expect a very challenging night when the result comes through but no, the PM is focused on the task at hand.”Asked whether the prime minister would quit if the Conservative vote fell below 10% in the European elections, he said: “We expect a very challenging night when the result comes through but no, the PM is focused on the task at hand.”
In the Commons, May urged MPs to support the legislation, which will be published on Friday, saying that by doing so, “we can bring an end to the months – years – of increasingly bitter argument and division that have both polarised and paralysed our politics.
“We can move on, move forwards, and get on with the jobs we were sent here to do, what we got into politics to do.”
The executive of the 1922 Committee also met on Wednesday afternoon amid fresh speculation that it could change the rules to allow a no-confidence vote in May’s leadership.
The meeting was adjourned after a request to meet the chief whip, Julian Smith, at 5.30pm. It will reconvene at 6pm to discuss May’s future.
As the meeting broke up, it emerged that members were told that the second reading of the Wab is scheduled for Friday 7 June. Mark Francois, the deputy chair of the pro-leave European Research Group, said: “I bet £50 for Help for Heroes that the second reading of the Wab will never, ever happen.”
But with a string of candidates already jostling for the premiership, including several in the cabinet, May warned MPs that putting another leader in place would not change the arithmetic in parliament.
“In time, another prime minister will be standing at this dispatch box. But while I am here, I have a duty to be clear with the house about the facts,” she said.
“If we are going to deliver Brexit in this parliament we are going to have to pass a withdrawal agreement bill. And we will not do so without holding votes on the issues that have divided us the most – that includes votes on customs arrangements and on a second referendum.”
Theresa MayTheresa May
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