Vote-whipping may spark mass resignations

THERESA MAY was yesterday warned by Remainer members of her Cabinet that she will face mass resignations by junior ministers if she attempts to whip votes that could lead to a softer Brexit.

Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark all argued in Cabinet that there must be free votes on alternative Brexit options today, including on membership of a customs union, revoking Article 50 and a second referendum.

One Cabinet source said there will be “carnage” if Mrs May denies ministers free votes, amid suggestions 20 are prepared to quit. “There won’t be a junior Remain minister left in the Government,” the source said. Cabinet ministers, however, are not expected to quit.

There was a strong push back from other ministers amid concerns it will lead to a softer Brexit including Jeremy Hunt, Stephen Barclay, Gavin Williamson, Geoffrey Cox, Liz Truss, Chris Grayling, Liam Fox and Andrea Leadsom. They argued that the “indicative” votes must be whipped to ensure they are consistent with the Conservative manifesto amid mounting concern that it could lead to a general election.

Mr Cox, the Attorney General, said that as a “matter of honour” the Government would be obliged to hold a general election if MPS forced it to pursue membership of the customs union. He is also said to have warned ministers that the Government would be in breach of the ministerial code and the law if it ignored the results of the indicative votes.

Ministers last night expected the Government to whip the vote, brought about by Sir Oliver Letwin’s motion. However, no decision on whipping arrangements was made by the Cabinet. The MPS behind the indicative votes plans will attempt to take control of Parliamentary business both today and on Monday – April Fool’s Day.

Under the plans, MPS will be presented with a ballot paper listing all the proposed Brexit alternatives and will vote Aye or No. They can vote for more than one option. Votes would be recorded and would not be kept secret.

Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, said the Government should hold “open sessions” in the Boothroyd Room in the Commons for MPS to rebut options such as Common Market 2.0 and customs union membership. He also urged Mrs May to hold a third meaningful vote on her deal this Friday – a move aimed to exert pressure on Tory Eurosceptics to back the deal.

Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, warned that delaying Brexit beyond April 11, the cutoff date before the UK has to participate in European parliamentary elections, would be an “erosion of democracy”.

Ministers are also to be given a 15-page document highlighting the risks of a no-deal Brexit.