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/live/2019/may/24/theresa-may-resignation-uk-prime-minister-politics-brexit-live-news
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Theresa May resignation: Tories to choose new prime minister by July – live news | Theresa May resignation: Tories to choose new prime minister by July – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| That’s it from me (Frances Perraudin) for this afternoon, but I’m handing over to my colleague Ben Quinn for a few hours. You can tweet at him on @BenQuinn75. | |
| As Scottish Conservative MPs and MSPs react to May’s resignation, a theme immediately emerges from their statements – they praise the outgoing prime minister for her commitment to the Union and call on her successor, whoever that may be, to show similar dedication, reports the Guardian’s Scotland correspondent Libby Brooks. | |
| Scottish Tory leader, Ruth Davidson, said: “As leader of the Scottish Conservatives, I want to see candidates show that same level of commitment to Scotland’s place in the Union”. This is a further indication of anxieties about the impact of Westminster ructions north of the border both on support for the Tories and for independence. | |
| Earlier this week, the Guardian reported on concerns within Ruth Davidson’s party that their resurgence in Scotland could be brought abruptly to an end by the Brexit party. Scottish Tories were bemused by May’s decision to offer a vote on a second EU referendum on Tuesday, having based their campaign strategy on a promise of “no more referendums” – either on the EU or independence. | |
| Most Scottish Tory parliamentarians would like Michael Gove, a Scots-born politician who is seen to “get” the Union, as the next leader. While some support Boris Johnson, he is widely considered toxic for Scottish voters as well as a gift to the SNP, as a caricature of the Tory elite. He was blocked from attending the party’s conference in Aberdeen at the beginning of May. But the Scottish party is now believed to fear more the possibility of Dominic Raab winning the leadership, considering him an ideologically rigid and fundamentalist rightwinger who has ignored their advice on Scottish affairs. | |
| Earlier on Friday, Scottish Conservative MP Stephen Kerr - who has just praised May as “a trenchant defender of the Union” - called for the Scottish Tories to re-position themselves as the “sister organisation to the Conservative Party in Wales and in England”. | |
| Kerr previously joined Scottish colleagues from Labour and the Liberal Democrats in advocating a Department of the Union at Westminster, a position then adopted by Davidson herself last week when she called for ‘Union delivery unit’ at the heart of UK government “to ensure decision-making benefits all parts of the country”. | |
| Here’s the front page of this afternoon’s London Evening Standard – edited by former Tory chancellor George Osborne, who May sacked when she came to power in 2016. | |
| Today’s @EveningStandard as Theresa May announces she’s going pic.twitter.com/mUo2QMONMJ | |
| The paper’s editorial describes May’s premiership as one of the shortest and least successful in history. | |
| Her resignation speech this morning pointed to a premiership that might have been: human, understanding of modern Britain, respectful of the achievements of her predecessors, and straight about the compromise needed if we are to move forward as a country. | |
| Sadly, little of this was on display during her premiership. As a result, the central objective she set herself — leaving the European Union in an orderly fashion — looks less certain than it did the day she entered Number 10 less than three years ago. | |
| Our @Adamstoon1 @EveningStandard sums it up pic.twitter.com/0zJ02Vgs3K | |
| Here’s a video taking a look at May’s premiership, from the Windrush scandal to dancing to Abba. | Here’s a video taking a look at May’s premiership, from the Windrush scandal to dancing to Abba. |
| In light of Johnson’s insistence that the UK will leave the EU at Halloween “deal or no deal”, here is some interesting analysis from Maddy Thimont Jack of the Institute for Government. She argues that MPs would struggle to stop a prime minister intent on pushing ahead with a no-deal exit from the EU. | In light of Johnson’s insistence that the UK will leave the EU at Halloween “deal or no deal”, here is some interesting analysis from Maddy Thimont Jack of the Institute for Government. She argues that MPs would struggle to stop a prime minister intent on pushing ahead with a no-deal exit from the EU. |
| It looks like a near impossible task for MPs to stop a prime minister who is determined to leave the EU without a deal. Parliamentary procedure offers no route, and the only apparent way to blocking no deal – a vote of no confidence – would be a massive gamble for Tory MPs. | It looks like a near impossible task for MPs to stop a prime minister who is determined to leave the EU without a deal. Parliamentary procedure offers no route, and the only apparent way to blocking no deal – a vote of no confidence – would be a massive gamble for Tory MPs. |
| But a prime minister who wants to leave the EU without a deal would face considerable pressure, both within Parliament and beyond, to change path, and he or she would have to explain how they would govern in the weeks and months after a no deal exit. | But a prime minister who wants to leave the EU without a deal would face considerable pressure, both within Parliament and beyond, to change path, and he or she would have to explain how they would govern in the weeks and months after a no deal exit. |
| So while the legislative routes may no longer be open, political pressure matters – as any previous occupant of Number 10 would no doubt testify. | So while the legislative routes may no longer be open, political pressure matters – as any previous occupant of Number 10 would no doubt testify. |
| Could Theresa May’s replacement force through a no-deal Brexit? | Maddy Thimont Jack | |
| Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs, has confirmed to the Press Association that he is considering running to be leader. (See my earlier post.) | Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs, has confirmed to the Press Association that he is considering running to be leader. (See my earlier post.) |
| I have been approached by a number of colleagues across the party both inside and outside Parliament asking me to put myself forward as a candidate. | I have been approached by a number of colleagues across the party both inside and outside Parliament asking me to put myself forward as a candidate. |
| Therefore I have taken the decision to stand down from the position of chairman of the 1922 Committee in order to ensure a fair and transparent election process. | Therefore I have taken the decision to stand down from the position of chairman of the 1922 Committee in order to ensure a fair and transparent election process. |
| I am considering the approaches I have received and will make a further statement in due course. I informed Number 10 and the chairman of the Conservative Party of this this morning. | I am considering the approaches I have received and will make a further statement in due course. I informed Number 10 and the chairman of the Conservative Party of this this morning. |
| Jeremy Corbyn has been talking to Reuters. He says another Conservative leader is not going to solve the UK’s problems and repeats calls for a general election. | Jeremy Corbyn has been talking to Reuters. He says another Conservative leader is not going to solve the UK’s problems and repeats calls for a general election. |
| Boris Johnson, the odds-on favourite to replace May as prime minister (Paddy Power currently has him on 5/6), has been speaking at an economics conference in Switzerland. Reuters reports that he paid tribute to May, describing her as “patient and stoical” | Boris Johnson, the odds-on favourite to replace May as prime minister (Paddy Power currently has him on 5/6), has been speaking at an economics conference in Switzerland. Reuters reports that he paid tribute to May, describing her as “patient and stoical” |
| “A new leader will have the opportunity to do things differently and have the momentum of a new administration,” he said. “We will leave the EU on October 31, deal or no deal. The way to get a good deal is to prepare for a no deal.” | “A new leader will have the opportunity to do things differently and have the momentum of a new administration,” he said. “We will leave the EU on October 31, deal or no deal. The way to get a good deal is to prepare for a no deal.” |
| Boris Johnson has set out his Brexit stance. V significant:“A new leader will have the opportunity to do things differently and have the momentum of a new administration. We will leave the EU on October 31 deal or no deal. The way to get a good deal is to prepare for a no deal" | Boris Johnson has set out his Brexit stance. V significant:“A new leader will have the opportunity to do things differently and have the momentum of a new administration. We will leave the EU on October 31 deal or no deal. The way to get a good deal is to prepare for a no deal" |
| TL/DR: Prime Minister Johnson would go back to Brussels to renegotiate the deal (and remove the controversial Irish border backstop). And if he fails, full steam ahead for no-deal in October. | TL/DR: Prime Minister Johnson would go back to Brussels to renegotiate the deal (and remove the controversial Irish border backstop). And if he fails, full steam ahead for no-deal in October. |
| Here’s more on those reports that Graham Brady is preparing to stand for the Tory leadership. He has confirmed to the BBC’s political editor that he is standing down as chair of the 1922 Committee. (See my earlier post.) | Here’s more on those reports that Graham Brady is preparing to stand for the Tory leadership. He has confirmed to the BBC’s political editor that he is standing down as chair of the 1922 Committee. (See my earlier post.) |
| Sir Graham Brady confirms he's considering standing to be PM so has stood down as chair of the 1922 backbench committee | Sir Graham Brady confirms he's considering standing to be PM so has stood down as chair of the 1922 backbench committee |
| The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has issued a damning statement criticising May’s decision to list her government’s reaction to the Grenfell fire tragedy as among her achievements. | The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has issued a damning statement criticising May’s decision to list her government’s reaction to the Grenfell fire tragedy as among her achievements. |
| In her resignation speech this morning she said that “the unique privilege” of being prime minister was to be able “to give a voice to the voiceless, to fight the burning injustices that still scar our society”. | In her resignation speech this morning she said that “the unique privilege” of being prime minister was to be able “to give a voice to the voiceless, to fight the burning injustices that still scar our society”. |
| “And that is why I set up the independent public inquiry into the tragedy at Grenfell Tower – to search for the truth, so nothing like it can ever happen again, and so the people who lost their lives that night are never forgotten,” she said. | “And that is why I set up the independent public inquiry into the tragedy at Grenfell Tower – to search for the truth, so nothing like it can ever happen again, and so the people who lost their lives that night are never forgotten,” she said. |
| statement from the Fire Brigades Union on Theresa May and Grenfell. No further comment necessary. pic.twitter.com/3a4yEAaqMJ | statement from the Fire Brigades Union on Theresa May and Grenfell. No further comment necessary. pic.twitter.com/3a4yEAaqMJ |
| Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: | Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: |
| Many of the underlying issues at Grenfell were due to unsafe conditions that had been allowed to fester under Tory governments and a council for which Theresa May bears ultimate responsibility. The inquiry she launched has kicked scrutiny of corporate and government interests into the long-grass, denying families and survivors justice, while allowing business as usual to continue for the wealthy. For the outgoing prime minister to suggest that her awful response to Grenfell is a proud part of her legacy is, frankly, disgraceful. | Many of the underlying issues at Grenfell were due to unsafe conditions that had been allowed to fester under Tory governments and a council for which Theresa May bears ultimate responsibility. The inquiry she launched has kicked scrutiny of corporate and government interests into the long-grass, denying families and survivors justice, while allowing business as usual to continue for the wealthy. For the outgoing prime minister to suggest that her awful response to Grenfell is a proud part of her legacy is, frankly, disgraceful. |
| It looks like foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has confirmed he is running to replace Theresa May – the first cabinet minister to do so. His local paper, the Farnham Herald, reports that he made the announcement at the Haslemere Festival in his constituency of South West Surrey. | It looks like foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has confirmed he is running to replace Theresa May – the first cabinet minister to do so. His local paper, the Farnham Herald, reports that he made the announcement at the Haslemere Festival in his constituency of South West Surrey. |
| The body is barely cold, but Jeremy Hunt looks like he has announced he's running. https://t.co/KjZp7gtKBS | The body is barely cold, but Jeremy Hunt looks like he has announced he's running. https://t.co/KjZp7gtKBS |
| In a video posted on the publication’s website, Hunt says: “I’ll make an announcement on my candidacy at the appropriate time”... | In a video posted on the publication’s website, Hunt says: “I’ll make an announcement on my candidacy at the appropriate time”... |
| Speaking in Dublin after voting in the European and local elections in Ireland, the taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said the new phase of the Brexit process could be “a very dangerous one for Ireland”. | Speaking in Dublin after voting in the European and local elections in Ireland, the taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said the new phase of the Brexit process could be “a very dangerous one for Ireland”. |
| Obviously, as anyone can see, British politics is consumed by Brexit and will be consumed by Brexit for a very long time. It now means we enter a new phase when it comes to Brexit and a phase that may be a very dangerous one for Ireland. | Obviously, as anyone can see, British politics is consumed by Brexit and will be consumed by Brexit for a very long time. It now means we enter a new phase when it comes to Brexit and a phase that may be a very dangerous one for Ireland. |
| In the next couple of months we may see the election of a Eurosceptic prime minister who wants to repudiate the withdrawal agreement and go for a no deal, or we may even see a new British government that wants a close relationship with the EU and goes for a second referendum. | In the next couple of months we may see the election of a Eurosceptic prime minister who wants to repudiate the withdrawal agreement and go for a no deal, or we may even see a new British government that wants a close relationship with the EU and goes for a second referendum. |
| Whatever happens we are going to hold our nerve, we are going to continue to build and strengthen and deepen our alliance across the European Union, and we will make sure we see Ireland through this. | Whatever happens we are going to hold our nerve, we are going to continue to build and strengthen and deepen our alliance across the European Union, and we will make sure we see Ireland through this. |
| He also paid tribute to May: | He also paid tribute to May: |
| We worked very closely on issues over the past one and a half years on Brexit and the North. I particularly want to pay tribute to her to agreeing to retain and strengthen the Common Travel Area. | We worked very closely on issues over the past one and a half years on Brexit and the North. I particularly want to pay tribute to her to agreeing to retain and strengthen the Common Travel Area. |
| As a result of the agreement we made, British and Irish citizens are able to live, work, study, travel and access healthcare, housing, education and welfare and pensions in each other’s countries as though we are citizens of both. | As a result of the agreement we made, British and Irish citizens are able to live, work, study, travel and access healthcare, housing, education and welfare and pensions in each other’s countries as though we are citizens of both. |
| That is going to be there and protected no matter what else may happen as a consequence of Brexit and part of that was done because of her work with us, and I want to pay tribute to her and her team for that. | That is going to be there and protected no matter what else may happen as a consequence of Brexit and part of that was done because of her work with us, and I want to pay tribute to her and her team for that. |
| Guardian journalists have put together this on the reaction by EU leaders to today’s announcement that the British prime minister is to resign. | Guardian journalists have put together this on the reaction by EU leaders to today’s announcement that the British prime minister is to resign. |
| EU leaders stick to Brexit guns as they prepare for 'different breed' of PM | EU leaders stick to Brexit guns as they prepare for 'different breed' of PM |
| EU leaders are to hold emergency talks next week as they prepare for a “different breed” of Brexiter to replace May, as concerns grow the risk of a no-deal withdrawal has increased. | EU leaders are to hold emergency talks next week as they prepare for a “different breed” of Brexiter to replace May, as concerns grow the risk of a no-deal withdrawal has increased. |
| In a statement, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, said: | In a statement, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, said: |
| It is too early to speculate on the consequences of this decision. The principles of the European Union will continue to apply, including the priority to preserve the smooth functioning of the EU, which requires a quick clarification. | It is too early to speculate on the consequences of this decision. The principles of the European Union will continue to apply, including the priority to preserve the smooth functioning of the EU, which requires a quick clarification. |
| A spokesman for Angela Merkel, said the German chancellor, had noted May’s planned departure with respect and that the repercussions would depend on developments in British domestic politics. | A spokesman for Angela Merkel, said the German chancellor, had noted May’s planned departure with respect and that the repercussions would depend on developments in British domestic politics. |
| Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, said: “The agreement reached between the EU and the United Kingdom for an ordered Brexit remains on the table.” | Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, said: “The agreement reached between the EU and the United Kingdom for an ordered Brexit remains on the table.” |
| A spokeswoman for Jean-Claude Juncker said the European commission president had followed May’s tearful statement “without personal joy”, and described her as a “very courageous woman”. | A spokeswoman for Jean-Claude Juncker said the European commission president had followed May’s tearful statement “without personal joy”, and described her as a “very courageous woman”. |
| It’s finally happened. Theresa May has announced her departure from 10 Downing Street. In a speech this morning following a meeting with Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, the prime minister said she would stand aside on Friday 7 June, with the process to select a new Conservative party leader starting the following week. Fighting back tears, she said: | It’s finally happened. Theresa May has announced her departure from 10 Downing Street. In a speech this morning following a meeting with Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, the prime minister said she would stand aside on Friday 7 June, with the process to select a new Conservative party leader starting the following week. Fighting back tears, she said: |
| I will shortly leave the job that it has been the honour of my life to hold. The second female prime minister but certainly not the last. I do so with no ill will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love. | I will shortly leave the job that it has been the honour of my life to hold. The second female prime minister but certainly not the last. I do so with no ill will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love. |
| The Conservative party chairman, Brandon Lewis, confirmed that nominations to replace May would close in the week beginning 10 June. Then successive rounds of voting by Tory MPs will take place to decide which candidates will be put a vote of the party’s members. That process should be completed by the end of June, leaving time for hustings with the finalists – to which non-party members will be invited. The final votes will be cast and the result announced by the time parliament rises for the summer in mid-July. | The Conservative party chairman, Brandon Lewis, confirmed that nominations to replace May would close in the week beginning 10 June. Then successive rounds of voting by Tory MPs will take place to decide which candidates will be put a vote of the party’s members. That process should be completed by the end of June, leaving time for hustings with the finalists – to which non-party members will be invited. The final votes will be cast and the result announced by the time parliament rises for the summer in mid-July. |
| Jeremy Corbyn has issued a statement calling for a general election. “Whoever becomes the new Conservative leader must let the people decide our country’s future, through an immediate general election,” he said. The Lib Dem leader, Vince Cable, and Green party’s Westminster leader Caroline Lucas both repeated calls for a second Brexit referendum. “Conservative party interest has always trumped national interest, and yet Conservative MPs continue to demand an ever more extreme Brexit policy,” said Cable. “The best and only option remains to take Brexit back to the people. I believe the public would now choose to stop Brexit.” | Jeremy Corbyn has issued a statement calling for a general election. “Whoever becomes the new Conservative leader must let the people decide our country’s future, through an immediate general election,” he said. The Lib Dem leader, Vince Cable, and Green party’s Westminster leader Caroline Lucas both repeated calls for a second Brexit referendum. “Conservative party interest has always trumped national interest, and yet Conservative MPs continue to demand an ever more extreme Brexit policy,” said Cable. “The best and only option remains to take Brexit back to the people. I believe the public would now choose to stop Brexit.” |
| And for some cheery lunchtime reading, Marina Hyde looks forward to the “summer of Tory fratricide and country-shafting” that lies in store. | And for some cheery lunchtime reading, Marina Hyde looks forward to the “summer of Tory fratricide and country-shafting” that lies in store. |
| Exit Theresa May. Stand by for a summer of Tory fratricide and country-shafting | Marina Hyde | Exit Theresa May. Stand by for a summer of Tory fratricide and country-shafting | Marina Hyde |
| Some reaction from Wales. | Some reaction from Wales. |
| Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, has issued this statement: | Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, has issued this statement: |
| I have never doubted the prime minister’s sense of public service or her commitment to do her job, and I wish her well for the future. It is however, her red lines that have brought her to the end of the road and left us in a mess of her making. | I have never doubted the prime minister’s sense of public service or her commitment to do her job, and I wish her well for the future. It is however, her red lines that have brought her to the end of the road and left us in a mess of her making. |
| A Conservative leadership contest is the last thing the country needs as we negotiate one of the biggest challenges and uncertainties our country has faced in decades. The prospect of achieving an orderly Brexit – one that protects our economy and people’s jobs – by the 31 October now seems even less likely. A change of leader will change nothing, we desperately need a change of approach to Brexit based on compromise and a will to heal the growing divisions in our country. | A Conservative leadership contest is the last thing the country needs as we negotiate one of the biggest challenges and uncertainties our country has faced in decades. The prospect of achieving an orderly Brexit – one that protects our economy and people’s jobs – by the 31 October now seems even less likely. A change of leader will change nothing, we desperately need a change of approach to Brexit based on compromise and a will to heal the growing divisions in our country. |
| The Plaid Cymru leader, Adam Price, said: | The Plaid Cymru leader, Adam Price, said: |
| On the steps of Downing Street Theresa May spoke of compromise, but she simply wasn’t willing to do so herself. Sticking rigidly by her red lines, Mrs May ignored the interests of Wales and millions across the UK who felt alienated by her approach to Brexit, as summed up in her ‘No Deal is better than a bad deal’ catchphrase. | On the steps of Downing Street Theresa May spoke of compromise, but she simply wasn’t willing to do so herself. Sticking rigidly by her red lines, Mrs May ignored the interests of Wales and millions across the UK who felt alienated by her approach to Brexit, as summed up in her ‘No Deal is better than a bad deal’ catchphrase. |
| This may be the end of the prime minister, but the beginning of a new Brexit battle. Over the coming weeks we will see an anti-EU arms race amongst the Brexiteer wing of the Tory party. We cannot let the fantasy politics which led us to this chaos define our future path. | This may be the end of the prime minister, but the beginning of a new Brexit battle. Over the coming weeks we will see an anti-EU arms race amongst the Brexiteer wing of the Tory party. We cannot let the fantasy politics which led us to this chaos define our future path. |
| ‘Do not waste this time’, said Donald Tusk when that final extension was granted. I fear this British government has already failed to listen to such good advice. By putting it back to the people, in a final say referendum, Brexit could have been resolved months ago. | ‘Do not waste this time’, said Donald Tusk when that final extension was granted. I fear this British government has already failed to listen to such good advice. By putting it back to the people, in a final say referendum, Brexit could have been resolved months ago. |