‘Gaukeward squad’ of ministers quit in unison
Gauke, Stewart and Milton accused of ‘throwing their toys’ as they opt to voice protest from back benches
THREE ministers yesterday timed their resignations around the announcement of Boris Johnson’s leadership victory.
David Gauke tweeted during Mr Johnson’s acceptance speech that he will be on the back benches from today after quitting as the justice secretary.
He was followed by Rory Stewart, one of Mr Johnson’s leadership rivals, who confirmed he will also be a backbench MP from today. Mr Gauke and Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, will formally hand in their resignation letters to Theresa May today after her last Prime Minister’s Questions.
Anne Milton, an education minister, quit the Government shortly before the Conservative Party announced Mr Johnson’s victory.
Ms Milton surprised MPS by first appearing in front of a Commons select committee and then publishing her resignation letter. She said she had “grave concerns” about a no-deal Brexit. On Monday, Sir Alan Duncan quit as a Foreign Office minister, saying he would not serve under Mr Johnson.
One Tory MP yesterday described the resignations as “pathetic” and accused ministers of “throwing their toys out of the pram”.
Another said: “Some colleagues in the ministerial bubble have lost perspective. Colleagues will take a dim view of their actions.” The MP said resigning on the same time as his speech was “a sign of ego”, adding: “We have got to pull together”.
Mr Gauke said that it had been an honour to serve in the Cabinet but that he was “looking forward to returning to back benches”.
Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Gauke said: “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.”
Meanwhile Mr Hammond responded yesterday to the news of Mr Johnson’s victory, saying he had his “wholehearted support” in seeking a deal with Brussels. The Chancellor has played a growing role in opposing no deal.
This week, Mr Johnson held meetings with Mr Hammond, Mr Stewart and Mr Gauke in a charm offensive amid concerns that they will prove to be a “nightmare” on the back benches.
Mr Stewart congratulated Mr Johnson and said: “Back bench tomorrow [Wednesday] serving Cumbria. Thank you all. More walking!”
Alok Sharma, who backed Mr Johnson, called for unity. He told BBC’S Newsnight: “I hope what they will do is reflect on the fact that the new prime minister, if it is Boris, will actually have a mandate from the parliamentary party and from the membership. What we will do if we have disunity in the party is risk a Corbyn government.”
Ms Milton, Mr Hammond, Mr Gauke and Mr Stewart abstained last week on a vote on an amendment aiming to make it difficult for Mr Johnson to suspend Parliament in order to force through a no-deal Brexit.
Ms Milton previously served as public health minister, minister for women and was the first woman to serve as deputy chief whip.
She said in her resignation letter: “I have always believed that our departure from the European Union should be centred on future cooperation and I had hoped we would have been able to leave the EU in March with a deal in place. I regret that this was not possible. However, I have grave concerns about leaving the EU without a deal, and so I feel it is time for me to return to the back benches.”