U.K. Brexit figures quit at bad time for May
U.K. Brexit Secretary David Davis and his deputy Steve Baker quit the government on Sunday in what threatens to be a major blow to Prime Minister Theresa May’s authority.
The resignations come just two days after May secured the backing of her cabinet for a plan to keep close ties to the European Union after leaving the bloc. Davis and Baker, both longstanding euroskeptics, decided they could not support the policy, a person familiar with the matter said.
May’s office confirmed Davis had resigned but had no comment yet on the reasons.
The pound weakened slightly on the news.
Davis, Baker and other proBrexit members of May’s Conservative party held deep con- cerns about her plans for keeping the U.K. tied to EU rules for goods and adopting a close customs arrangement with the other 27 member countries.
They feel Britain should have a clean break from the bloc and be liberated to pursue new trade deals with other countries, as well as to make its own laws, free from European influence.
As the minister responsible for the Brexit negotiations, Davis is a major voice in the debate in the U.K. The double resignation on Sunday has the potential to derail May’s government and set in motion a chain of events that could lead to an attempt to oust her as prime minister. Their stand may embolden pro-Brexit lawmakers to make a move against her.
It comes at a critical and highly sensitive time for May’s strategy, as she seeks to make progress in negotiations in Brussels. A divorce agreement is due to be wrapped up in just 15 weeks, but there are still major obstacles to overcome.