Theresa May’s decision to seek votes across the House and start Brexit talks with Jeremy Corbyn in a bid to pass her deal has sent ripples through the Conservative party today. Junior minister Nigel Adams this morning resigned over his discomfort with the new plan and now Brexit minister Chris Heaton-Harris has followed suit. In his resignation letter, Heaton-Harris says he has worked hard to put no-deal preparations in place for the event that the UK leaves without a deal. He goes on to say that given that it is now clear the Prime Minister has no intention to leave without a deal, his job is irrelevant:
After much contemplation, I have decided to leave Theresa May's Government. I'm grateful to the PM for giving me the opportunity to serve the UK and I will continue to represent my constituents as the MP for Daventry. pic.twitter.com/sHkVhwJ7bb
— Chris Heaton-Harris MP (@chhcalling) April 3, 2019
The decision by Heaton-Harris to leave government is a blow to No. 10. Although there have been no Cabinet resignations yet, Heaton-Harris is someone who is in close contact with Leave ministers. He has been an attendee at Pizza Club meetings – where Cabinet Brexiteers plot their next move – and was instrumental in a letter signed by half of the party reiterating Brexit red lines. Notably, Heaton-Harris is close with Andrea Leadsom – who was one of the ministers at Cabinet most upset by May’s new plan. A lot of MPs are unhappy with the decision by May to try and get Labour votes to pass a deal – with the expectation being it leads to a permanent customs union. However, several are keeping their powder dry until they know what exactly is proposed and the voting situation. Where Heaton-Harris goes, others may soon follow.
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