He’s gone
It’s a been a chaotic day for Theresa May, as the house of cards government propping her up since last year’s general election has begun to fall beneath her, with the resignation of David Davis, his deputy Steve Baker and, within the last hour, Boris Johnson.
The new Brexit plan agreed at Chequers last week said the UK is committed to “continued harmonisation” with EU rules and will “maintain a common rulebook for all goods,” with the more “soft Brexit” approach to negotiations leaving figures like David Davis and Boris at odds with the PM.
Responding to Johnson’s resignation, a Downing Street spokesman said: “This afternoon, the prime minister accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson as foreign secretary. His replacement will be announced shortly. The prime minister thanks Boris for his work.”
It remains to be seen whether the dual resignation of two of May’s most senior government ministers will trigger a Tory leadership contest – or even a general election – but for the moment one thing that’s certain is the internet’s response to Johnson getting on his bike has been damning…
https://twitter.com/sanglesey/status/1016321727297617921
Wonder if Boris is busy writing two articles… one for if he does resign, one for if he doesn’t.
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) July 9, 2018
So… Boris has gone! He finally found a principle he could believe in. His career
— John Crace (@JohnJCrace) July 9, 2018
Boris Goneson
— Seán (@OGrianain22) July 9, 2018
A list of David Davis’ and Boris Johnson’s achievements in two years as Brexit Secretary and Foreign Secretary:
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20)— Tom Hamilton (@thhamilton) July 9, 2018
Finding out Boris Johnson has resigned: pic.twitter.com/vv1Xs6UKHd
— Sophie Thompson (@sophxthompson) July 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/DawnHFoster/status/1016324675838840832
The likelihood of a Conservative leadership contest now looms. If Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 committee which is the symbolic seat of backbench power, receives letters of no confidence from 48 MPs then it is likely a vote of no confidence in Theresa May would then be triggered.
