Tory leadership hopefuls Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have both said it’s “all to play for” as Britain waits to learn who will become the next prime minister.
Foreign Secretary Mr Hunt was in a positive mood when he arrived home from a run on Tuesday morning despite Mr Johnson remaining the clear favourite to take over from Theresa May.
In a sign of unease about Mr Johnson’s expected victory, education minister Anne Milton quit the Government on Tuesday over her “grave concerns” about a no-deal Brexit, following Sir Alan Duncan ‘s departure as Foreign Office minister on Monday.
Having abstained in the vote last week, today I have resigned from the Government. It has been an honour to serve on the Conservative frontbenches, my thanks to everyone I have had the pleasure of working alongside. pic.twitter.com/ELo1Y30YqC
— Anne Milton MP (@AnneMilton) July 23, 2019
More ministers opposed to his “do or die” pledge to pull the UK out of the EU on October 31, even if there is no deal in place, could leave before Mrs May formally gives up the premiership on Wednesday afternoon.
Chancellor Philip Hammond and Justice Secretary David Gauke have given notice that they will resign rather than serve under Mr Johnson.
Mr Gauke said he believed there were “parliamentary mechanisms” that could prevent a no-deal Brexit which would “not necessarily” involve bringing down a Johnson administration.
He stressed that he would not vote against a Tory government in a motion of no confidence if it was heading towards a no-deal Brexit.
But Mr Gauke told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There is a clear majority in the House of Commons that doesn’t want to leave the EU without a deal; I think that will become very clear in the autumn.”
He told the Times that newly elected Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson could take votes from the Tories in the event of a no-deal exit.
Employment Minister and Johnson backer Alok Sharma called for Tory unity from ministers returning to the back benches.
“What we will do if we have disunity in the party is risk a Corbyn government.”
Arch Brexiteer Nigel Evans, a senior member of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs, predicted Mr Johnson’s arrival in Downing Street, telling the BBC: “He will be going in there … with at least half a dozen knives already in his back.”
The new prime minister will have to govern with a Tory-DUP majority of just two, after Dover MP Charlie Elphicke had the Conservative whip suspended when he was charged with sexually assaulting two women.
The Government majority could be further reduced next week if the Tories lose the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election.
