Nov. 15 (UPI) — British Prime Minister Theresa May’s announcement of a deal to leave the European Union sparked an exodus from her Cabinet Wednesday, with two-high profile members quitting in protest.
Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey joined two other junior ministers opted to quit their jobs rather than face the political ramifications of the controversial deal.
“We have gone from no deal is better than a bad deal, to any deal is better than no deal,” McVey said in her letter of resignation.
The draft agreement was announced Wednesday and has been posted online.
Raab said he “cannot in good conscience” support the proposal.
The resignations are a huge setback for May, who spoke in the House of Commons Thursday and was jeered at some moments by critical lawmakers.
“What we agreed yesterday was not the final deal,” May said. “It is a draft treaty that means we will leave the EU in a smooth and orderly way [in] March 2019. And which sets the framework for a future relationship that delivers in our national interest.”
By breaking away from the EU, May said the United Kingdom takes back control of its borders, laws and money. She also said leaving the EU will happen whether there’s a deal or not.
“We have been preparing for a no-deal and we continue to prepare for no-deal because I recognize that we have a further stage of negotiation with the European council and then that deal when finalized … has to come back to this House,” she said.
Despite the two resignations Thursday, May said her closest ministers support the proposed deal after a tense five-hour meeting with her cabinet.
Members of May’s own Conservative Party say the Brexit deal doesn’t go far enough because it doesn’t separate the United Kingdom from EU’s single market. There’s also the issue of the border with Northern Ireland staying in the EU’s single market, while Scotland, which fought to remain in the EU, would not.
“You are not delivering the Brexit people voted for and today you will lose the support of many Conservative [members of Parliament] and millions of voters across the country,” said conservative Brexit supporter Peter Bone.
May could also face a vote of no confidence from her own party as it’s said they have the 48 necessary votes.
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