Brexit

MPs trigger May confidence vote as #Brexit nears

Published

8 years ago

December 12, 2018

MPs in British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party on Wednesday (12 December) triggered a confidence vote in her leadership, plunging the country’s planned divorce from the European Union into deeper uncertainty, writes Paul Sandle.

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Prime Minister Theresa May

“I will contest that vote with everything I’ve got.

“A change of leadership in the Conservative Party now would put our country’s future at risk and create uncertainty when we can least afford it.

“Weeks spent tearing ourselves apart will only create more division just as we should be standing together to serve our country.”

Opposition Labour party chairman Ian Lavery

“The prime minister’s half-baked Brexit deal does not have the backing of her cabinet, her party, parliament or the country.

“The Conservative Party’s internal divisions are putting people’s jobs and living standards at risk.”

Finance Minister Philip Hammond

“The Prime Minister has worked hard in the national interest since the day she took office and will have my full support in the vote tonight. Her deal means we leave the EU on time, whilst protecting our jobs and our businesses.”

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss

“I fully support the prime minister and believe it would be completely wrong to have a leadership election now. She is the right person to deliver Brexit and has shown herself to be strong and determined.”

Pro-EU Conservative lawmaker Anna Soubry

“Removing Theresa May at this most critical of times is grossly irresponsible.”

Environment Secretary Michael Gove

“I am backing the Prime Minister 100% - and I urge every Conservative MP to do the same. She is battling hard for our country and no one is better placed to ensure we deliver on the British people’s decision to leave the EU.”

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: “The Prime Minister has my full support, not least because she has always done what she firmly believes is in the national interest. Our country needs us all to fight for a good deal and prepare for a no deal scenario. All eyes and hands should be on that task.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd said: “The PM has my full support. At this critical time we need to support and work with the PM to deliver on leaving the EU, & our domestic agenda - ambitious for improvements to people’s lives & to build on growth of wages & jobs.”

European Research Group Chairman Jacob Rees-Mogg and Deputy Chairman Steve Baker said: “Theresa May’s plan would bring down the government if carried forward. But our party will rightly not tolerate it. Conservatives must now answer whether they wish to draw ever closer to an election under Mrs May’s leadership. In the national interest, she must go.”

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “I am backing Theresa May tonight. Being PM is the tmost difficult job imaginable right now and the last thing the country needs is a damaging and long leadership contest. Brexit was never going to be easy but she is the best person to make sure we actually leave the EU on 29 March.”

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The last thing our country needs right now is a Conservative Party leadership election. Will be seen as self-indulgent and wrong. PM has my full support and is best person to ensure we leave EU on 29 March.”

Housing, Communities and Local Govt Secretary James Brokenshire said: “I strongly support @theresa_may to continue as Leader of @Conservatives and Prime Minister. Now is not the time for this distraction and even more uncertainty. We need to get behind the prime minister in the best interests of our country.”

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