Theresa May needs to quit to resolve Brexit crisis, say aides | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Theresa May needs to quit to resolve Brexit crisis, say aides

Hindustan Times, London | By
Mar 24, 2019 06:29 PM IST

Claiming that Prime Minister Theresa May’s intransigence is part of the problem, several of her cabinet colleagues and others want to see her resign to resolve the Brexit crisis, as nearly a million people walked through London on Saturday and 5 million people signed an anti-Brexit petition.

Claiming that Prime Minister Theresa May’s intransigence is part of the problem, several of her cabinet colleagues and others want to see her resign to resolve the Brexit crisis, as nearly a million people walked through London on Saturday and 5 million people signed an anti-Brexit petition.

British Prime Minister Theresa May(REUTERS FILE PHOTO)
British Prime Minister Theresa May(REUTERS FILE PHOTO)

May is immune from a leadership challenge until December under Conservative party rules, since she won the last challenge in December 2018. But a new party leader and prime minister can be elected if she resigns on her own. Her aides briefed Sunday newspapers, insisting she needs to go.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The current Brexit crisis involves two dates set by the European Union last week: leave the EU by May 22 if the withdrawal agreement is passed in parliament; or, if it is not passed, clarify by April 12 the way forward, which also implies the UK needing to participate in elections to the European parliament on May 23.

Amid continuing all-round uncertainty, one clarity is that the UK will not leave the EU at 11 pm on March 29, the date and time mentioned in the EU withdrawal act. This has caused much ennui among those who voted to leave since it contradicts May’s repeated assertions that the UK will leave on March 29.

If May’s continued efforts to gain support for the withdrawal agreement succeed, it will be brought before parliament for the third time next week, subject to speaker John Bercow allowing it to be tabled again. It was voted down twice in January and earlier this month.

As Downing Street rubbished reports that May could be persuaded to resign, chancellor Philip Hammond told Sky News on Sunday: “This is not about the prime minister... changing prime ministers wouldn’t help, changing the party of government wouldn’t help.”

“To be talking about changing the players on the board, frankly, is self indulgent at this time,” he added.

David Lidlington, effectively the deputy prime minister, is mentioned as a temporary possible successor to May, while senior party leader and former cabinet minister Iain Duncan-Smith said aides briefing against May should be dismissed for being disloyal.

Calling their behavior “appalling”, he told BBC they should be censured, sacked, or at the very least “they should be apologising and they should shut up.”

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Prasun Sonwalkar was Editor (UK & Europe), Hindustan Times. During more than three decades, he held senior positions on the Desk, besides reporting from India’s north-east and other states, including a decade covering politics from New Delhi. He has been reporting from UK and Europe since 1999.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On