Historians might revisit this day as one of the longest days in British history. It rekindles the spectres of the days when Margaret Thatcher, in November 1990 resigned as Prime Minister and party leader in November 1990, after Michael Heseltine launched a challenge to her leadership.
This time the issue isn’t only linked to internal politics. But we have a very pertinent issue at stake, BREXIT.
We try to organise the happenings of the past 24 hours which are constantly changing in view of ongoing developments.
Based on Twitter feeds from Politicians, Journalists and News Outlets.
Significant events
David Davis – the minister at the forefront of negotiations with the EU – has resigned as Brexit secretary. He said it looked “less and less likely” the party would deliver on the Brexit result and the Tory commitment to leave the customs union and single market. “The general direction of policy will leave us in at best a weak negotiating position, and possibly an inescapable one,” Mr Davis writes in his resignation letter.
In his first interview since his resignation, Mr Davis said he hopes it will put pressure on the Government not to give more concessions to the EU.
Prime Minister May replied “I am sorry that you have chosen to leave the Government when we have already made so much progress towards delivering a smooth and successful Brexit, and when we are only eight months from the date set in law when the United Kingdom will leave the European Union.”
Kit Malthouse replaced Dominic Raab as housing minister as Raab was appointed Brexit secretary.
Simon Hart, a remain-voting Conservative MP, says David Davis did not achieve much as Brexit secretary.
Scottish SNP First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that the Government’s unity didn’t last long adding that this “UK government is in utter chaos and ebbing authority by the day. What a shamble.”
Welsh Labour First Minister Carwyn Jones said that The resignation of David Davis shows that the UK Government is in complete disarray over #Brexit and action urgently needs to be taken to resolve this chaos – businesses need certainty and the country needs leadership and direction.
Then, as if things weren’t bad enough…
On Monday afternoon the office of the Prime Minister announced that “This afternoon, the prime minister accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson as foreign secretary. His replacement will be announced shortly. The prime minister thanks Boris for his work.”
Nigel Farage said earlier Boris Johnson “could be a hero” if he walked – now he has, and he’s very happy about it. Now he wants Theresa May to follow suit.
The British Labour Party’s Deputy Leader said “Theresa May’s Government is in meltdown. This is complete and utter chaos. “The country is at a standstill with a divided and shambolic Government. The Prime Minister can’t deliver Brexit and has zero authority left.”
Eu’s First Reaction
European Council President Donald Tusk said “Politicians come and go but the problems they have created for people remain. I can only regret that the idea of #Brexit has not left with Davis and Johnson. But…who knows?”
Jean Claude Juncker when told of the news that Boris Johnson resigned, was a proof of the unity there was within the British Cabinet.
The moment @eucopresident & @JunckerEU heard the news about @BorisJohnson’s resignation. Donald Tusk had just reacted to @DavidDavisMP saying “politicians come and go”, then he heard about BoJo – @SkyNews pic.twitter.com/ZUmJgOtXer
— Mark Stone (@Stone_SkyNews) July 9, 2018
House of Commons Debate
In a debate at the Commons, May stands her ground on the Chequers deal reached on Friday which triggered the pressure and resignations. “In the two years since the ref we have had a spirited national debate with robust views around the cabinet table I have listened to every possible idea and this is the right Brexit”
Jeremy Corbyn replied that so far the UK had “Two years of soundbites, indecision and cabinet infighting”. The Labour leader said the “illusion” of Cabinet unity barely lasted 48 hours and we now have a “crisis in government. It is clear that this government cannot secure a good deal for Britain. As reality bites, she’s backsliding on every one of them [her red lines]. Far from strong and stable. There are ministers overboard and the ship is sinking. All at the worst possible time. We need a government that is capable of governing and negotiating for Britain. The government needs to get its act together and negotiate quickly and if it can’t, make way for those who can.”
Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman says there is no question of revisiting the Brexit position agreed by the Cabinet at Chequers on Friday and the Government is not in meltdown
Reactions
Philip Hammond, The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that May’s plan has his full support. “It’s a proposal that puts jobs first and protects our nation’s prosperity.”
Carl Bildt said, “Tragic to see how the UK is lost in the post-referendum chaos. This used to be a nation providing leadership to the world. Now it can’t even provide leadership to itself.”
Analysts say that now Theresa May’s leadership is in peril. A leadership contest would be triggered if 48 Conservative MPs formally submit letters, and some have already reportedly been sent to the Tories’ backbench 1922 Committee. May’s official spokesman says the prime minister will fight any attempts to oust her as leader.
Theresa May has warned hardline Brexiters to fall into line or risk handing power to Jeremy Corbyn after Boris Johnson became the second cabinet minister to resign in 24 hours, claiming Britain was “headed for the status of colony”.
After a dramatic day of twists and turns in Westminster, the prime minister addressed Conservative MPs for an hour, issuing a stark warning that divided parties lose elections and telling her party that “to lead is to decide”.
She then returned to Downing Street to fill the gaps left on the government benches by several resignations, sparked by the Brexit secretary, David Davis, who stepped down late on Sunday night.
