More than a dozen ministers could quit over no-deal as Brexit chaos deepens, says Tory MP
A dozen or more Government ministers could quit by the end of February if Theresa May refuses to extend the Brexit negotiating period, a leading Tory opponent of EU withdrawal has said.
Former attorney general Dominic Grieve said that the next round of Brexit votes on February 27 would be a ‘high noon’ moment when resignations on this scale – which he said could include six Cabinet members – might bring Mrs May’s Government down.
‘The irony of all this is that most of us in the Conservative Party we are sufficiently united to want to try to operate a coherent government,’ he said.
‘But the truth is we are finding it harder and harder to do and… it starts to bring into question whether the government is able to operate in the national interest at all.
‘We are facing a great crisis and we are not really looking at all the options.’
Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29, though there is speculation that date could be extended as the UK continues its last-minute search for a deal.
On Thursday, Theresa May suffered another defeat in the Commons for her EU strategy, in large part because of the Tory Eurosceptics.
In another example of the deep split over Europe in the Conservative Party – and across Parliament – the Tory Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom said that no deal was still on the table if nothing can be resolved before March 29.
‘The Government does not want no-deal, but it is there because that is the legal default position, and any competent government must prepare for all eventualities,’ she told BBC Radio 4.
Asked about the prospect of ministers resigning to block no-deal, Ms Leadsom said: ‘Resignations from Government do happen… People have very, very strong heartfelt views about leaving the EU or remaining within it.
‘That is a matter for them as individuals.’
Ms Leadsom defended Mrs May’s decision not to remain in the Commons to hear the result of Thursday’s vote: ‘The Prime Minister just this week spent two hours and 18 minutes answering questions in the chamber.
‘Since October, she has spent 39 hours in the chamber answering questions. She has shown such commitment to make herself available to the House.’
