The six Brexiteers who could challenge Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak could face opposition to his new Brexit deal - Hannah McKay/Reuters
Rishi Sunak could face opposition to his new Brexit deal - Hannah McKay/Reuters
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Rishi Sunak has sealed a new Brexit deal aimed at easing trade friction in Northern Ireland after holding face-to-face talks with the European Commission president on Monday.

Following on from his discussions with Ursula von der Leyen, Mr Sunak briefed his Cabinet after announcing to voters and MPs the details of the deal in a press conference.

However, the move to secure a deal carries risks for the Prime Minister, with Tory MPs having warned that they will revolt if European judges retain a say over Northern Ireland.

Hours before Mr Sunak and Ms Von der Leyen announced their meeting, a member of the Eurosceptic wing of the Tory party warned that Parliament should not be rushed into accepting a deal.

“Trying to bounce Parliament usually ends badly,” Mark Francois, the chairman of the European Research Group (ERG) of Conservative MPs, told Sky News.

He said the issue was about “whose law was sovereign in Northern Ireland”, adding: “We need to get rid of EU law in Northern Ireland.”

Here are six Brexiteers who could be set to challenge Mr Sunak in the coming days before a vote on the deal. 

Mark Francois

Mark Francois
Mark Francois

The leader of the powerful European Research Group (ERG) will be a key mouthpiece for Eurosceptic Tory MPs.

He is determined that whatever deal Mr Sunak brings back goes to a vote, making clear his position that the Prime Minister must not “try to bludgeon this through the Commons”.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith

A prominent Brexiteer, the former Tory leader has insisted Mr Sunak must “secure more” from the EU as part of the new deal.

He has said the protocol must be replaced to preserve peace in Northern Ireland, and if staunch Eurosceptics such as him oppose the agreement, it could signal trouble ahead for the Prime Minister.

Steve Baker

Steve Baker - Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Steve Baker - Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The Northern Ireland minister and former head of the ERG was on resignation watch on Saturday night after being frozen out of negotiations.

Mr Sunak might fear that any deal unpalatable to hardline Eurosceptics could tip him over the edge.

However, on Sunday, the leading Brexiteer gave a thumbs up as he left Number 10, indicating he was feeling positive.

On Monday, he said he thought Mr Sunak was on the “cusp” of securing a “fantastic result” for “everyone involved”.

Jacob Rees-Mogg

It was thought the former Brexit opportunities minister could be instrumental in forcing a vote if the Government neglected to offer MPs a say on the deal. However, Mr Sunak confirmed on Monday they will receive a vote.

Speaking as he launched his new GB News programme, Mr Rees-Mogg, the former Brexit opportunities minister, sounded a cautious note and stressed the importance of the union.

“The deal is apparently done and Brexit is complete,” he said. “It’s the oven-ready Brexit now being cooked I suppose, really, with some gravy and some bread sauce. We should hold the champagne or, if you prefer, the English sparkling wine for now.

“Ursula von der Leyen claims the European Court of Justice will continue to have the final say on single market issues, yet Rishi Sunak claims there will be no border in the Irish Sea. So how are these two positions reconcilable?

“Well, it really comes down to what the DUP make of it. Will they perceive that the people of Northern Ireland remain under the EU’s laws and its regulatory system, or will they think that this new change, the adjustment to the Protocol, will give them what they want? Because this is fundamental.”

David Jones

The deputy leader of the ERG has warned the protocol “won’t be fixed by displaying green and red signs” and “pretending” the European Court of Justice “hasn’t got supreme jurisdiction in Northern Ireland when it manifestly has”.

His verdict on Mr Sunak’s agreement will hinge on whether he thinks it guarantees sovereignty for the province.

If he does not, his response will prove a headache for the Prime Minister.

Lord Frost

The opinion of Boris Johnson’s former Brexit supremo will be a key indicator of whether Mr Sunak has won over his critics.

Mr Johnson has warned that ditching the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill in favour of a new Brexit deal would be a “great mistake” – and Lord Frost has backed him on this.