Resigned to failure

Thirty four MPS have resigned from Theresa May’s government since the 2017 election, for a variety of noble and embarrassing reasons. The thirty fourth, who quit yesterday, was George Eustice, and he appeared to resign in protest at the Prime Minister’s handling of her own Brexit policy. In his resignation letter, Mr Eustice stated that he’s always been in favour of a compromise, he backed Chequers and he would vote through Mrs May’s Withdrawal Agreement. But he is concerned that Brexit might be delayed or that a no-deal outcome will be taken off the table, which are things Mrs May has criticised but, of course, has promised MPS a vote on. The situation is surreal. There’s a lot in Mr Eustice’s letter that Mrs May has said herself at one time or another. So why would two people who want the same thing have to part company?

Perhaps Mr Eustice has the gift of prophecy. He might foresee the Government failing to get any significant changes to the Withdrawal Agreement; the Brexiteers refuse to back it; it is defeated; via delay and ruling out no-deal, the Commons then puts Britain on course for Brexit-in-name-only, or a second referendum or cancellation. In which case, dropping out of government now seems like a wise idea, not only on grounds of principle but to avoid the blame. If the Tories fail to deliver Brexit (either on schedule or within a reasonable timetable) the party will tear itself apart. It’s all very well for Remain ministers to warn that they will resign if there’s even a whiff of Mrs May pursuing no deal – there also are many Brexiteer ministers, like Mr Eustice, who will resign if they sense betrayal of the referendum result. And their protest will be joined by millions of voters.