A GROUP of five Eurosceptic UK Government ministers are hoping to lobby Theresa May to make last minute changes to the draft Brexit deal, it emerged yesterday.
The group is understood to be co-ordinated by Commons leader Andrea Leadsom and includes Environment Secretary Michael Gove, according to the BBC. They are joined by Liam Fox, International Trade Secretary, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt and Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary.
READ MORE: Sturgeon slams Tories for last-minute invite to Brexit meeting
The ministers are expected to convene early next week and may be joined by others keen to play a role in influencing a revised deal. It is thought they intend to persuade May to re-negotiate details of the deal on exiting the backstop.
Supporters of Brexit are unhappy that under the current deal there is no guaranteed route out of a future backstop – triggered if no long-term trade deal that avoids a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is agreed before the end of 2020 – unless the EU gives its consent.
The Prime Minister published her draft withdrawal agreement with the EU on Wednesday, setting out the long-awaited terms of the UK’s departure in a 585-page document that was met with a backlash from across the political spectrum.
After she announced that the deal had the backing of her Cabinet, a slew of Conservative resignations followed, starting with Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, followed by the Work and Pensions Secretary, Esther McVey and a number of junior ministers.
READ MORE: Rees-Mogg submits letter of no-confidence in May
May then faced a hostile three-hour session in the House of Commons, during which there was open revolt from her own party and the DUP as well as all opposition parties. Yet, just a few hours later she pledged to “see it through” regardless.
Jacob Rees-Mogg MP is one of 23 Conservative MPs known to have submitted a letter of no-confidence against May. If 48 letters are sent, then a vote will be triggered and she could face a challenge to her leadership. It is said this could be reached next week, though there is doubt whether there would be enough support to unseat her.
Mark Francois, who has also sent a letter, said May’s plan would leave the UK “half in and half out” of the EU and claimed no-one expected her to get it through Parliament.
But she has been backed by others, including Alan Duncan MP who urged his colleagues to “stop and reflect”, rather than push for a potentially damaging leadership contest.
READ MORE: Michael Gove throws May a lifeline
Stephen Gethins SNP MP and spokesman on Europe, told the Sunday National: “With all wings of her party against her, it is abundantly clear that Theresa May has no chance of getting her deal through Parliament – leaving us all in political purgatory. The best deal short of EU membership is to remain in the single market and customs union.
“It is essential that we avoid both Theresa May’s hard Brexit and a no-deal scenario – and all options must be on the table to achieve that.”
Meanwhile, Leadsom has said there is still time for “more to be done” on the Brexit deal. Though claiming to support the Prime Minister she suggested there is an opportunity before a special European Council meeting on November 25 to get “the best possible deal for the UK”.
“There is still more to be done and we do still have more time before the EU Council at the end of the month so I’m absolutely committed to getting the Brexit that 17.4 million people voted for,” she told Sky News.
READ MORE: Ministers resign over Brexit deal
May however has continued to insist that the agreed deal is the best on offer.
In response to resignations she has appointed former home secretary Amber Rudd, who quit over the Windrush scandal, back into the Cabinet to replace McVey at the DWP.
Stephen Barclay has been appointed as the new Brexit Secretary, the third this year, but the role has been further downgraded as the Prime Minister will in future take sole control of negotiations on the EU withdrawal.
Leave-supporting Barclay’s job will be limited to the domestic delivery of EU withdrawal, preparations for Brexit either with or without a deal and shepherding legislation through Parliament.
He said: “We now need to keep up the momentum to finalise the withdrawal agreement.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel