This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/23/duncan-smith-calls-for-mays-cabinet-to-quit-if-brexit-bill-published

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Duncan Smith calls for May's cabinet to quit if Brexit bill published Duncan Smith calls for May's cabinet to quit if Brexit bill published
(1 day later)
The former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith has stepped up the pressure on Theresa May by urging her cabinet to resign en masse if the revised EU withdrawal bill is published on Friday.The former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith has stepped up the pressure on Theresa May by urging her cabinet to resign en masse if the revised EU withdrawal bill is published on Friday.
Downing Street is still insisting May plans to publish the bill despite Andrea Leadsom’s resignation as leader of the House of Commons and speculation that the prime minister will have to set a date for her departure on Friday.Downing Street is still insisting May plans to publish the bill despite Andrea Leadsom’s resignation as leader of the House of Commons and speculation that the prime minister will have to set a date for her departure on Friday.
On Wednesday May declined to schedule meetings with several cabinet ministers, including Sajid Javid and David Mundell, who had planned to express their displeasure at her pledge of a Commons vote on a second EU referendum.On Wednesday May declined to schedule meetings with several cabinet ministers, including Sajid Javid and David Mundell, who had planned to express their displeasure at her pledge of a Commons vote on a second EU referendum.
Speaking to TalkRadio, Duncan Smith said if May was not prepared to listen to members of her cabinet, it was time for Philip May to intervene. “The only person closest to her is clearly her husband, and I think somebody has to say look, nobody likes this … Politics is a nasty, sometimes brutal, ghastly business. But the reality is that she has no confidence any longer, not just in her party but in the cabinet as well. So the best thing for her and the best thing for everybody else is to break away and say its time to find a new leader.”Speaking to TalkRadio, Duncan Smith said if May was not prepared to listen to members of her cabinet, it was time for Philip May to intervene. “The only person closest to her is clearly her husband, and I think somebody has to say look, nobody likes this … Politics is a nasty, sometimes brutal, ghastly business. But the reality is that she has no confidence any longer, not just in her party but in the cabinet as well. So the best thing for her and the best thing for everybody else is to break away and say its time to find a new leader.”
The fortunes of the environment secretary remain hard to predict and opinion is split in the party. His detractors believe he is deeply unpopular with the country and has ruined his reputation for good when he stood against Johnson at the last leadership race. Most MPs were delighted by his performance in the no-confidence vote where he tore into Corbyn. But robust Brexiters dislike the fact he has stayed loyal even in the final days of the crumbling May regime. The fortunes of the environment secretary remain hard to predict and opinion is split in the party. His detractors believe he is deeply unpopular with the country and ruined his reputation for good when he stood against Boris Johnson at the last leadership race. Most MPs were delighted by his performance in the no-confidence vote where he tore into Jeremy Corbyn. But robust Brexiters dislike the fact he has stayed loyal even in the final days of the crumbling May regime.
While the response of many voters to mention of the health secretary is still likely to be ‘Who?’, to some he is starting to have the makings of a from-the-sidelines contender. The former culture secretary is only 40 but has six years of frontbench experience, and is on to his second cabinet post. The longer the race goes on the more he gains ground for the seemingly basic virtues of being apparently competent and broadly similar to a normal human being. While the response of many voters is likely to be "Who?", to some the health secretary is starting to have the makings of a from-the-sidelines contender. The former culture secretary is only 40 but has six years of frontbench experience, and is on to his second cabinet post. The longer the race goes on the more he gains ground for the seemingly basic virtues of being apparently competent and broadly similar to a normal human being.
The nickname ‘Theresa in trousers’ has stuck. Most colleagues speak about his candidacy unenthusiastically and warn about his reputation with the country after having weathered the junior doctors’ strike. He could still succeed by bridging the Brexit-remain divide and attracting colleagues looking for a moderate grown-up, but  recently he seemed unable to outline why his brand of Conservatism might appeal to voters. The nickname "Theresa in trousers" has stuck. Most colleagues speak about his candidacy unenthusiastically and warn about his reputation with the country after the junior doctors’ strike. He could still succeed by bridging the leave-remain divide and attracting colleagues looking for a moderate grown-up, but recently he seemed unable to outline why his brand of Conservatism might appeal to voters.
The home secretary is reported to have told Tory MPs he is the only one who can beat Jeremy Corbyn in a general election, but has made less of an impact than first predicted. Several MPs believe that the case of Isis bride Shamima Begum was mishandled and find Javid’s speeches and vision less than inspiring. The home secretary is reported to have told Tory MPs he is the only one who can beat Corbyn in a general election, but has made less of an impact than first predicted. Several MPs believe the case of the Isis bride Shamima Begum was mishandled and find Javid’s speeches and vision less than inspiring.
Still favourite for the top job, Johnson has kept himself out of the messiest Tory warfare in 2019 and has enthusiastic support from younger Brexiter MPs – and the patronage of Jacob Rees-Mogg. His supporters insist no other name on the list can connect with voters in the same way and win a general election. However, his reputation is still severely damaged from his time as foreign secretary and there is a concerted ‘anyone but Boris’ campaign among party colleagues. Still favourite for the top job, Johnson has kept himself out of the messiest Tory warfare in 2019 and has enthusiastic support from younger Brexiter MPs – and the patronage of Jacob Rees-Mogg. His supporters insist no other name on the list can connect with voters in the same way and win a general election. However, his reputation is still severely damaged by his time as foreign secretary and there is a concerted "anyone but Boris" campaign among party colleagues.
Leadsom has revived her reputation somewhat during her tenure as Commons leader, especially her rounds in the ring with the Speaker, John Bercow. However, few believe she would ever be first choice again among Eurosceptics and a number of her former campaign team have said they will discourage her from running. It is yet to be seen how her resignation on the eve of the European Elections will play with MPs. Leadsom has revived her reputation somewhat during her tenure as Commons leader, especially her rounds in the ring with the Speaker, John Bercow. However, few believe she would ever be first choice again among Eurosceptics and a number of her former campaign team have said they will discourage her from running. It is yet to be seen how her resignation on the eve of the European elections will play with MPs.
Former cabinet minister McVey has already announced her intention to run. She has the Brexit credentials, having quit as Work and Pensions Secretary in protest at Theresa May's withdrawal agreement, and claims to already have enough support from fellow MPs to make her bid viable. The former cabinet minister has already announced her intention to run. She has the Brexit credentials, having quit as work and pensions secretary in protest at Theresa May's withdrawal agreement, and claims to already have enough support from fellow MPs to make her bid viable.
Previously seen as a definite outsider, her promotion from international development secretary to defence after the sacking of Gavin Williamson has significantly bolstered her position. As both a confirmed Brexiter and a social liberal she could unite different camps, but she remains relatively untested.Previously seen as a definite outsider, her promotion from international development secretary to defence after the sacking of Gavin Williamson has significantly bolstered her position. As both a confirmed Brexiter and a social liberal she could unite different camps, but she remains relatively untested.
The former Brexit secretary has a loyal fanbase and a professional team, including support from Vote Leave’s ex-comms director Paul Stephenson. MPs are forming the view that the next party leader should be a younger face from a new generation of politicians – which gives Raab the edge over Boris Johnson.  The former Brexit secretary has a loyal fanbase and a professional team, including support from Vote Leave’s ex-comms director Paul Stephenson. MPs are forming the view that the next party leader should be a younger face from a new generation of politicians – which gives Raab the edge over Johnson. 
While she has not officially ruled herself out, Rudd’s remainer tendencies and slender majority in her Hastings constituency mean the work and pensions secretary is largely being courted for who she might eventually endorse.While she has not officially ruled herself out, Rudd’s remainer tendencies and slender majority in her Hastings constituency mean the work and pensions secretary is largely being courted for who she might eventually endorse.
As much for effort as inspiration. The chief secretary to the Treasury has been almost everywhere the last few weeks – including modelling some slightly alarming trousers in the Mail on Sunday – to explain her free market, libertarian philosophy. Everyone knows what she thinks, but this will still perhaps not be enough. As much for effort as inspiration. The chief secretary to the Treasury has been almost everywhere in the last few weeks – including modelling some slightly alarming trousers in the Mail on Sunday – to explain her free market, libertarian philosophy. Everyone knows what she thinks, but this will still perhaps not be enough.
Among the senior figures not expected to run are Brandon Lewis, the party chairman, Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, and Philip Hammond, the chancellor, who acknowledges that he is not popular enough. Gavin Williamson’s recent sacking after the Huawei leak inquiry will also surely rule him out as an option this time around.Among the senior figures not expected to run are Brandon Lewis, the party chairman, Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, and Philip Hammond, the chancellor, who acknowledges that he is not popular enough. Gavin Williamson’s recent sacking after the Huawei leak inquiry will also surely rule him out as an option this time around.
Asked what he would advise the cabinet if the bill was published on Friday as May plans, Duncan Smith said: “If this bill is published tomorrow, I’m afraid you have to walk. And you are not doing the prime minister a kindness if you assist her in this charade any longer.”Asked what he would advise the cabinet if the bill was published on Friday as May plans, Duncan Smith said: “If this bill is published tomorrow, I’m afraid you have to walk. And you are not doing the prime minister a kindness if you assist her in this charade any longer.”
On Friday May is due to discuss a timetable for her departure with Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers. The committee’s executive held a secret sealed ballot on Wednesday on whether to rewrite party rules to allow another leadership challenge if she refuses to quit. If May does not give a date for resignation, the sealed ballots will be opened.On Friday May is due to discuss a timetable for her departure with Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers. The committee’s executive held a secret sealed ballot on Wednesday on whether to rewrite party rules to allow another leadership challenge if she refuses to quit. If May does not give a date for resignation, the sealed ballots will be opened.
Duncan Smith said if May resigned now the party could have a new pro-Brexit leader by July who was prepared to the leave the EU without a deal. “The leadership election could be complete if it was started now before we rose for the summer break, giving a new leader the chance to get their ducks in a row and get over to Europe and say right, this is it, this is dead, this is what you have to do or we’re off on the 31st [of October] without a withdrawal agreement.”Duncan Smith said if May resigned now the party could have a new pro-Brexit leader by July who was prepared to the leave the EU without a deal. “The leadership election could be complete if it was started now before we rose for the summer break, giving a new leader the chance to get their ducks in a row and get over to Europe and say right, this is it, this is dead, this is what you have to do or we’re off on the 31st [of October] without a withdrawal agreement.”
Duncan Smith said May’s speech on Tuesday setting out her 10-point “new deal” was “as close to a disaster as I could possibly imagine”.Duncan Smith said May’s speech on Tuesday setting out her 10-point “new deal” was “as close to a disaster as I could possibly imagine”.
He added: “The prime minister has so fixed herself to the idea that she would deliver this bill that it has almost become an obsession. The reality now is that somebody needs to calmly sit down and say look, it’s over for this withdrawal agreement.”He added: “The prime minister has so fixed herself to the idea that she would deliver this bill that it has almost become an obsession. The reality now is that somebody needs to calmly sit down and say look, it’s over for this withdrawal agreement.”
Duncan Smith predicted the party would get a “trouncing” in Thursday’s European elections. He said the party’s “big mistake” had been not choosing a leader who genuinely believed in Brexit.Duncan Smith predicted the party would get a “trouncing” in Thursday’s European elections. He said the party’s “big mistake” had been not choosing a leader who genuinely believed in Brexit.
He blamed Michael Gove, now the environment secretary, for derailing Boris Johnson’s bid to become leader in 2016. Duncan Smith said: “Had the original election in which Michael Gove decided to knife Boris Johnson and the whole thing collapsed from the leaders of the Brexit group – had that not been the case I think we’d be out by now. That has been the tragedy from the word go: that personal ambition was placed ahead of delivering for the British people. That must never happen again.”He blamed Michael Gove, now the environment secretary, for derailing Boris Johnson’s bid to become leader in 2016. Duncan Smith said: “Had the original election in which Michael Gove decided to knife Boris Johnson and the whole thing collapsed from the leaders of the Brexit group – had that not been the case I think we’d be out by now. That has been the tragedy from the word go: that personal ambition was placed ahead of delivering for the British people. That must never happen again.”
He added: “A leading Brexiteer has to lead the party and the country out at the very latest by 31 October, deal or no deal.”He added: “A leading Brexiteer has to lead the party and the country out at the very latest by 31 October, deal or no deal.”
Theresa MayTheresa May
Conservative leadershipConservative leadership
ConservativesConservatives
Iain Duncan SmithIain Duncan Smith
BrexitBrexit
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content