By Ben Kerrigan-
The political agendas of Mps will be tested after Theresa May vowed to step down if they back her Brexit deal. The prime minister has effectively offered Mps an opportunity to demonstrate where their interest lies- for the country or for themselves. If Mps genuinely believe Theresa May’s Brexit deal is poor, they will refuse to back her deal just to take her job.
British politics is in a serious crisis that will both test the intelligence and integrity of its politicians and see whether they will prioritise what they believe to be the interest of the country over their own political interests. Up until now, there has been no clear alternative presented to parliament for Britain to leave the EU with a deal, but today’s vote is supposed to explore the options available to the Uk to leave Europe in an orderly
fashion.
Ms May told the 1922 committee of backbench Conservatives she “would not remain in post for the next phase of the negotiations”, making way for a successor once her Brexit deal has passed. The revelation which would have got some politicians licking their lips for the opportunity to take her place was made as MPs were preparing for a series of crunch votes to measure support for different Brexit scenarios, including a fresh Brexit referendum and a customs union.
Results from the “indicative votes” ballot and a debate on the legal changes needed to delay Britain’s departure from the EU are expected after 9pm. The UK has been given until 12 April to propose a different way forward if the current agreement cannot get through Parliament and until 22 May to finalise Brexit if the deal is passed.
Bookies immediately put Michael Gove as the favourite to succeed Theresa May as Tory leader, with Boris Johnson put at 6/1 to occupy no 10 once she steps down.
Betfair spokesperson Katie Baylis said: “Following the news that Theresa May will quit once a deal is delivered, Betfair Exchange makes Michael Gove the 4/1 favourite to take over as PM once she goes, with Boris Johnson at 6/1.
“Jeremy Hunt is at 13/2 with his odds shortening from 14/1 in the last half an hour, while David Liddington was the big mover on the next PM market in the last week, and is at 10/1 in what promises to be another intriguing leadership contest.”
If the prime minister’s conditional resignation brings the votes in it will show our leaders not to be genuine , despite the desperate need for the tension surrounding Brexit to come to a close. May told backbench Tories: “I am prepared to leave this job earlier than I intended in order to do what is right for our country and our party.”
The PM said she knew that Tory MPs did not want her to lead the next phase of Brexit negotiations “and I won’t stand in the way of that”. Interestingly, Boris Johnson who has always been a staunch opponent of May’s deal, immediately vowed to back her deal as he eyes the prime minister’s job.