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Theresa May expected to announce her resignation – live news Theresa May expected to announce her resignation – live news
(31 minutes later)
This is an interesting thread from the Guardian’s Paris bureau chief, Angelique Chrisafis, who visited the north west to write this piece about the fallout from the Brexit chaos from a European perspective. “No idea how this all ends,” she concludes.
Went back to north west England to look at political fallout from Brexit chaos from European view Some things I noticed - Britain has a level of disillusionment with the political system that is greater than in almost all other EU countries & growing 1/https://t.co/JP5jpI9E7n
For a long time, Europe saw Britain as an exception to rise of the populism, without big movements based on the 'people versus the corrupt elite' Three years on from Leave vote, Brexit Party shows that's changing 2/
Brexit Party studied Italy's Five-Star. One activist: “Why reinvent the wheel?”But campaign message simple, positive & detoxed. “Protect democracy”. Without referencing immigrationSlick online campaign, well-organised local activists keen to aim for Westminster 3/
Brexit Party supporters felt bullied & ignoredUK's milkshake issue took on bigger proportions than election food-throwing elsewhere in EU – where Macron has been egged in the head, others hit with flour, cream-pies, ketchup, or in Italy eggs and tomatoes, considered standard 4/
Today is likely to be a good day for Jacob Rees-Mogg
It’s Jacob Rees-Mogg’s birthday today...
My colleague Peter Walker has put together this helpful list of the runners and riders for the Conservative party leadership.
Tory leadership: the runners and riders
Here are the top four –
Boris Johnson
The out-and-out favourite, so popular with the Tory grassroots – polling for the Times showed he is the first choice of 39% of them, with Dominic Raab trailing him on 13% – that it would be hard for MPs to not make Johnson one of the final two. He has been relatively quiet recently, beyond his regular Telegraph column, but this is very deliberate.
Odds: 6/4 favourite
Dominic Raab
Few things say “would-be leader in waiting” like a kitchen photoshoot with your spouse, and the former Brexit secretary duly obliged with this imageawash with tasteful pastel hues.
Among the more core constituency of Conservative MPs, Raab has been pushing hard, as has his semi-official “Ready for Raab” Twitter feed.
Odds: 4/1
Jeremy Hunt
Fears that the foreign secretary would be another overly woolly compromise choice – “Theresa in trousers”, to use the critics’ phrase – were hardly assuaged when after a set-piece speech, he seemed unable to outline why his brand of Conservatism might appeal to voters.
Odds: 10/1
Michael Gove
The environment secretary has not done anything specific to merit his place in the decliners list, but that is perhaps the point – he has not done very much at all to cement his place in the hearts of Tory MPs.
Robust Brexiters in particular dislike the fact he has stayed loyal even in the final days of the crumbling May regime.
Not the resignation we’ve been waiting for ...Not the resignation we’ve been waiting for ...
It is with regret that I have today resigned as @Conservatives Vice Chair for Communities. Now is the time for new leadership to deliver Brexit and unite our Party and our Country. pic.twitter.com/vNzRi0MYTKIt is with regret that I have today resigned as @Conservatives Vice Chair for Communities. Now is the time for new leadership to deliver Brexit and unite our Party and our Country. pic.twitter.com/vNzRi0MYTK
Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and the Weald, has announced her resignation on Twitter. She says:Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and the Weald, has announced her resignation on Twitter. She says:
Regrettably, I must now give notice of my resignation because I wish to actively and openly support one of the new leadership candidates and would not want there to be any perception of a conflict between the candidate’s campaign and my role at CCHQ.Regrettably, I must now give notice of my resignation because I wish to actively and openly support one of the new leadership candidates and would not want there to be any perception of a conflict between the candidate’s campaign and my role at CCHQ.
Here are some pictures of May arriving at 10 Downing Street with her husband, Philip.Here are some pictures of May arriving at 10 Downing Street with her husband, Philip.
We’ve got a bit more of this morning’s timings. Sky News reports that May will meet Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, at 9am and make a statement afterwards.We’ve got a bit more of this morning’s timings. Sky News reports that May will meet Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, at 9am and make a statement afterwards.
NEW: Told that May will meet with Sir Graham Brady at 9am this morning. Understand PM will make the announcement afterwards. More on @SkyNews nowNEW: Told that May will meet with Sir Graham Brady at 9am this morning. Understand PM will make the announcement afterwards. More on @SkyNews now
Here’s a reminder of what Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 Committee, said yesterday.Here’s a reminder of what Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 Committee, said yesterday.
I want her to give a timetable for when she will go. I think this blank denial from Number 10 today may be a smokescreen because she does not want to influence the outcome of the European elections. Maybe she will still quit tomorrow.I want her to give a timetable for when she will go. I think this blank denial from Number 10 today may be a smokescreen because she does not want to influence the outcome of the European elections. Maybe she will still quit tomorrow.
Asked what would happen if the PM did not announce a resignation date, Clifton-Brown said:Asked what would happen if the PM did not announce a resignation date, Clifton-Brown said:
I think there will be overwhelming pressure for the 22 to change the rules and hold a ballot on confidence in the prime minister.I think there will be overwhelming pressure for the 22 to change the rules and hold a ballot on confidence in the prime minister.
We can expect more tweets like this (from the BBC’s political editor) this morning. Every move the prime minister makes will be scrutinised.We can expect more tweets like this (from the BBC’s political editor) this morning. Every move the prime minister makes will be scrutinised.
PM has just arrived back in Downing StreetPM has just arrived back in Downing Street
Still expecting her to go see Sir Graham Brady first then make a statement about her futureStill expecting her to go see Sir Graham Brady first then make a statement about her future
Ken Clarke – at 78 years old, the father of the House of Commons – has been speaking to the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He said the majority of Conservative MPs did not vote Conservative in yesterday’s European parliament elections.Ken Clarke – at 78 years old, the father of the House of Commons – has been speaking to the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He said the majority of Conservative MPs did not vote Conservative in yesterday’s European parliament elections.
He denied that Boris Johnson was a shoo-in for the leadership, but admitted the Conservative party was in for a chaotic few weeks. “The European Research Group – the right wing of my party – have finally got their woman,” he said. “They’ve been trying to get rid of her for the past few months. They seem to imagine that the party will now unite behind the one of them that most resembles Nigel Farage. I don’t think it’s going to be like that.”He denied that Boris Johnson was a shoo-in for the leadership, but admitted the Conservative party was in for a chaotic few weeks. “The European Research Group – the right wing of my party – have finally got their woman,” he said. “They’ve been trying to get rid of her for the past few months. They seem to imagine that the party will now unite behind the one of them that most resembles Nigel Farage. I don’t think it’s going to be like that.”
Former Middle East minister Alistair Burt told the programme earlier that he could vote for Boris Johnson to take over from May.Former Middle East minister Alistair Burt told the programme earlier that he could vote for Boris Johnson to take over from May.
When asked whether he could back Johnson, he said: “The answer to the question for almost all the candidates is yes. I would find it very difficult to support a candidate who said it was in Britain’s best interest to leave with no deal, leave straight away, WTO … I don’t expect any candidate really to say that.”When asked whether he could back Johnson, he said: “The answer to the question for almost all the candidates is yes. I would find it very difficult to support a candidate who said it was in Britain’s best interest to leave with no deal, leave straight away, WTO … I don’t expect any candidate really to say that.”
Damian Green, former first secretary of state, has been singing May’s praises. “All prime ministers, in the end, take responsibility for what happens on their watch, but I think that it’s undeniable that suddenly and unexpectedly becoming prime minister after the seismic shock of the Brexit referendum meant that she was dealt an extremely difficult hand to play. And the truth is that having an election a year later, which cut the Conservative party’s majority, then [made it] impossible.”Damian Green, former first secretary of state, has been singing May’s praises. “All prime ministers, in the end, take responsibility for what happens on their watch, but I think that it’s undeniable that suddenly and unexpectedly becoming prime minister after the seismic shock of the Brexit referendum meant that she was dealt an extremely difficult hand to play. And the truth is that having an election a year later, which cut the Conservative party’s majority, then [made it] impossible.”
He added: “The fact that parliament has not been able to get a Brexit deal through has led to the impatience, bordering into contempt, for the political class and the amount of hostility and borderline violence is something we have not known for a very very long time.”He added: “The fact that parliament has not been able to get a Brexit deal through has led to the impatience, bordering into contempt, for the political class and the amount of hostility and borderline violence is something we have not known for a very very long time.”
Asked whether May’s personality had made her unsuitable to be prime minister, he said: “Prime ministers come with all forms of personality. Perhaps inevitably people are concentrating on the downsides, but we have to remember the extraordinary sense of public service and, actually, in an era when political discourse has become so poisonous and vicious, she was always courteous and polite.”Asked whether May’s personality had made her unsuitable to be prime minister, he said: “Prime ministers come with all forms of personality. Perhaps inevitably people are concentrating on the downsides, but we have to remember the extraordinary sense of public service and, actually, in an era when political discourse has become so poisonous and vicious, she was always courteous and polite.”
Ukip deputy leader Mike Hookem has quit and will run for party leader.Ukip deputy leader Mike Hookem has quit and will run for party leader.
This is from the Press Association –This is from the Press Association –
Hookem said he could no longer support the direction of party leader Gerard Batten and wanted to offer “a real alternative” to his leadership that would “consolidate and rebuild our party”.Hookem said he could no longer support the direction of party leader Gerard Batten and wanted to offer “a real alternative” to his leadership that would “consolidate and rebuild our party”.
Batten has already said he will stand down on 2 June, launching a leadership contest.Batten has already said he will stand down on 2 June, launching a leadership contest.
In a letter sent to party officials at the close of polls in the European elections, Hookem said: “I believe Ukip always has been and always should be a libertarian party that encourages and promotes common-sense policies with a broad electoral appeal.In a letter sent to party officials at the close of polls in the European elections, Hookem said: “I believe Ukip always has been and always should be a libertarian party that encourages and promotes common-sense policies with a broad electoral appeal.
“However, under Mr Batten’s leadership, and despite my appeals, Ukip has been derailed from this objective. Mr Batten’s policy direction and associations have given the mainstream media the ammunition to label our party ‘extreme’ and ‘far-right’, accusations I do not believe to be true.”“However, under Mr Batten’s leadership, and despite my appeals, Ukip has been derailed from this objective. Mr Batten’s policy direction and associations have given the mainstream media the ammunition to label our party ‘extreme’ and ‘far-right’, accusations I do not believe to be true.”
Batten has been Ukip leader for 16 months and appointed former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson as his political adviser in November 2018.Batten has been Ukip leader for 16 months and appointed former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson as his political adviser in November 2018.
Hookem, an MEP who stood for re-election this week, said Brexit had been a “golden opportunity for Ukip”, which was led by Nigel Farage before he stepped down in 2016.Hookem, an MEP who stood for re-election this week, said Brexit had been a “golden opportunity for Ukip”, which was led by Nigel Farage before he stepped down in 2016.
He said Batten had “squandered our natural advantage and seriously undermined 26 years of work in the process”.He said Batten had “squandered our natural advantage and seriously undermined 26 years of work in the process”.
There is one clear frontrunner in the Conservative party leadership race: Boris Johnson. Today’s Today in Focus podcast looks at the prospect of Prime Minister Johnson.There is one clear frontrunner in the Conservative party leadership race: Boris Johnson. Today’s Today in Focus podcast looks at the prospect of Prime Minister Johnson.
The end of May: are we headed for Boris Johnson as prime minister?The end of May: are we headed for Boris Johnson as prime minister?
Andrew Sparrow put together this helpful bit of analysis yesterday, explaining May’s options. The most widely reported scenario this morning is that May will announce that a Conservative leadership election will kick off on 10 June, after Donald Trump’s state visit, and that she will stay on as prime minister until a successor has been selected.Andrew Sparrow put together this helpful bit of analysis yesterday, explaining May’s options. The most widely reported scenario this morning is that May will announce that a Conservative leadership election will kick off on 10 June, after Donald Trump’s state visit, and that she will stay on as prime minister until a successor has been selected.
Andy wrote: To place the current events in context, you need to recall that we have already had three resignation-related announcements from May already.Andy wrote: To place the current events in context, you need to recall that we have already had three resignation-related announcements from May already.
1) In December last year May announced that she would resign before the general election due in 2022. She made the promise to Tories in private to help boost her chances in a no-confidence ballot, which she subsequently won. Whether she would resign ahead of the election if it took place before 2022 was left unresolved.1) In December last year May announced that she would resign before the general election due in 2022. She made the promise to Tories in private to help boost her chances in a no-confidence ballot, which she subsequently won. Whether she would resign ahead of the election if it took place before 2022 was left unresolved.
2) In March May announced that she would resign before the next phase of the Brexit negotiation started. She delivered the pledge, again at a private meeting of Tory MPs, ahead of the third vote on her Brexit deal. It was taken to mean she would go by the summer, assuming her deal was passed. What would happen if her deal was not passed was left unresolved, although subsequently the Conservative 1922 Committee said she needed to clarify this.2) In March May announced that she would resign before the next phase of the Brexit negotiation started. She delivered the pledge, again at a private meeting of Tory MPs, ahead of the third vote on her Brexit deal. It was taken to mean she would go by the summer, assuming her deal was passed. What would happen if her deal was not passed was left unresolved, although subsequently the Conservative 1922 Committee said she needed to clarify this.
3) Last week, at her meeting with the executive of the 1922 Committee, May agreed to set a date for her departure after the second reading of the EU withdrawal agreement bill (Wab), which at that point the government was saying would take place on Friday 7 June at the latest. She did not say what the date would be, but the implication was that it would be soon after that 7 June deadline.3) Last week, at her meeting with the executive of the 1922 Committee, May agreed to set a date for her departure after the second reading of the EU withdrawal agreement bill (Wab), which at that point the government was saying would take place on Friday 7 June at the latest. She did not say what the date would be, but the implication was that it would be soon after that 7 June deadline.
Good morning and welcome to the Guardian’s politics live blog, on what could be a pretty big day for British politics.Good morning and welcome to the Guardian’s politics live blog, on what could be a pretty big day for British politics.
Theresa May is expected to announce today that she will resign as Conservative leader and set a date for her departure from 10 Downing Street. Her cabinet colleagues – Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt among them – are said to have told her they could not support her withdrawal agreement bill offering a vote on a temporary customs union and second referendum.Theresa May is expected to announce today that she will resign as Conservative leader and set a date for her departure from 10 Downing Street. Her cabinet colleagues – Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt among them – are said to have told her they could not support her withdrawal agreement bill offering a vote on a temporary customs union and second referendum.
As the Guardian reports this morning:As the Guardian reports this morning:
May’s allies believe she will promise to step down as leader by 10 June after the state visit of US president Donald Trump and then stay on as prime minister until her successor has been chosen.May’s allies believe she will promise to step down as leader by 10 June after the state visit of US president Donald Trump and then stay on as prime minister until her successor has been chosen.
A Downing Street source said she is expected to name a date for her resignation at a meeting with Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, on Friday morning, while staying on as prime minister for the duration of a leadership contest. “But everything remains quite fluid,” the source said.A Downing Street source said she is expected to name a date for her resignation at a meeting with Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, on Friday morning, while staying on as prime minister for the duration of a leadership contest. “But everything remains quite fluid,” the source said.
If May does not announce a date for her resignation today and tries to cling to power (as she has done before), the 1922 Committee could open a sealed envelope containing the results of a ballot on whether to hold another vote of no confidence in her leadership.If May does not announce a date for her resignation today and tries to cling to power (as she has done before), the 1922 Committee could open a sealed envelope containing the results of a ballot on whether to hold another vote of no confidence in her leadership.
We’ll have all the latest news here throughout the day. You can get me on Twitter on @fperraudin.We’ll have all the latest news here throughout the day. You can get me on Twitter on @fperraudin.