Tory MP Nick Boles has vowed to quit the party if a no-deal Brexit becomes government policy. The former education minister said he would "vote in any way necessary" to block Britain from crashing out of the EU without a deal. And he said he would resign the party whip in order to oppose the government if such a plan became official party policy. It comes after Downing Street announced that ministers were “ramping up” planning and that businesses and citizens should immediately prepare for leaving without a deal. Writing on Twitter, he said: "The Cabinet spent this morning discussing preparations for ‘no deal’ Brexit. I accept that it is prudent for the government to get ready for all eventualities. But I owe my constituents and my colleagues total clarity about my position. "If at any point between now and 29 March the government were to announce that ‘no deal’ Brexit had become its policy, I would immediately resign the Conservative whip and vote … [Read more...] about Tory MP Nick Boles vows to quit the party if no-deal Brexit becomes policy
Tory mps
All the Tory MPs who say they’ve written letters to topple Theresa May
Theresa May is widely expected to face a leadership challenge at the hands of her own MPs. Angry Tories have been writing to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee of backbenchers, after the PM pulled a crucial vote on her Brexit deal. Only he knows how many letters are in - and whether the threshold of 48 to reach a no confidence vote is reached. But more than two dozen Tory MPs have helped our estimates by coming out publicly with their letters. Don't forget, even if they reach 48, a whopping 158 MPs then have to vote against Theresa May to trigger a full leadership contest. And if she wins, she can carry on for another year without being challenged. But these numbers give some indication to the challenge she is facing. 1. Jacob Rees-Mogg Submitted his letter on Thursday "It is of considerable importance that politicians stick to their commitments or do not make such commitments in the first place. Regrettably, this is not the situation," he said in his letter. 2. … [Read more...] about All the Tory MPs who say they’ve written letters to topple Theresa May
No-deal planning should have started much earlier – Tory MP
No-deal planning should have started much earlier – Tory MP BelfastTelegraph.co.uk A Scottish Conservative MP has said contingency planning for a no-deal Brexit should have started immediately after the vote in 2016. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/nodeal-planning-should-have-started-much-earlier-tory-mp-37636754.html https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/article37636753.ece/3fd73/AUTOCROP/h342/bpanews_0e282048-26d6-4f0e-acaf-3aec8e1cf1e8_1 Email A Scottish Conservative MP has said contingency planning for a no-deal Brexit should have started immediately after the vote in 2016. Colin Clark, MP for Gordon, insisted there must be a plan in place in the event of the UK departing the EU without a deal. Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Monday MPs would not vote on her Brexit deal until the third week in January. Speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland, Mr Clark said: “No deal is far from satisfactory but ministers are making preparations … [Read more...] about No-deal planning should have started much earlier – Tory MP
Tory MP ordered off Sky News for getting phone out during Brexit clash
Tory MP David Davies was branded "patronising" and ordered off Sky News by Kay Burley during a heated Brexit debate with Labour's Anna Turley. During the clash Ms Turley, MP for Redcar in the North East, explained to Brexiteer Mr Davies the devastating impact leaving the European Union was expected to have on her constituency’s economy. Mr Davies twice complained he was not getting a chance to respond before pulling out his phone and telling her: “I’ll check my phone while you have a little chat ok, you carry on.” The stunned Labour MP said: “Wow, this is an amazing way to debate,” before Ms Burley stepped in. Ms Burley told Mr Davies: “Let’s not be patronising, that is completely unacceptable, please don’t speak to her in that fashion.” Again he complained: “I can’t get a word in.” The Sky News presenter told him he had been given his fair share on air time and ushered him off screen. “Thanks for … [Read more...] about Tory MP ordered off Sky News for getting phone out during Brexit clash
Tory MP compares party infighting to ‘Mad Max or Lord of the Flies’
A senior Tory MP has compared the row engulfing the party to the deadly clashes between feral schoolboys in the novel Lord of the Flies. Robert Halfon, who chairs the Commons education committee, warned that the "awful" language being used by Conservative MPs to describe each other was making the Tories look like "the nasty party" again. He also likened the divisions to the tale of murder and social collapse depicted in the film Mad Max. Join Indpendent Minds For exclusive articles, events and an advertising-free read for just £5.99 €6.99 $9.99 a month Start your free trial Get the best of The Independent With an Independent Minds subscription for just £5.99 €6.99 $9.99 a month Start your free trial Get the best of The Independent Without the ads – for just £5.99 €6.99 $9.99 a month Start your free trial The vicious infighting would be a "disaster" for the party at the next election, the Harlow … [Read more...] about Tory MP compares party infighting to ‘Mad Max or Lord of the Flies’