Three UK Ministers Resign Over Brexit Agreement

Photo from Ukrinform

In the United Kingdom this morning, three ministers have resigned over the Brexit draft agreement meeting yesterday.

Shailesh Vara, a minister from Northern Ireland, was the first to resign.

“With much sadness and regret I have submitted my letter of resignation as a Northern Ireland Minister to the Prime Minister. A copy of my letter is attached. It has been a joy and privilege to serve in the Northern Ireland Office and I will always cherish the fondest memories,” wrote Vara on Twitter.

Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab then followed suit.

“Today, I have resigned as Brexit Secretary. I cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU. Here is my letter to the PM explaining my reasons, and my enduring respect for her,” wrote Raab on Twitter.

Within hours of his resignation, work and pensions secretary, Esther McVey, also resigned.

“We have gone from no deal is better than a bad deal, to any deal is better than no deal,” she wrote in her resignation letter.

She cited concerns over the future of the Union and a lack of control over money, law, borders and trade policy under a deal she felt kept the U.K. too close to Brussels.

The resignations come as European Council President Donald Tusk announced an emergency meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels on Nov. 25, at which the withdrawal agreement and a political declaration on future relations will be finalized and formalized.

Both Raab and McVey were Brexiteers.

Prime Minister Theresa May has been in parliament today pleading her case for the draft Brexit agreement. Other ministers have also been voicing their views on the process.

“Is the prime minister aware that if the media reports about the EU agreement are in any way accurate, you are not delivering the Brexit people voted for, and today you will lose the support of many Conservative MPs and millions of voters across the country,” said Peter Bone. a Conservative Party member of parliament.

Regardless of the outcome of this session, May’s position in the Conservative Party may be in jeopardy. There could be either a vote of no-confidence or an outright ouster of her as Prime Minister.

Yesterday, a draft 600-page Brexit agreement was presented to May’s cabinet. According to the deal, after the U.K. leaves the EU, a transitional period will last for 21 months. The issue regarding a border between Ireland and Northern Ireland has still not been agreed upon. It was decided that this issue will be considered after Brexit. This was announced by the EU representative of Brexit negotiations, Michel Barnier.

The U.K. will leave the EU on March 29 of next year. Negotiations between London and Brussels about Brexit have been going on since June 2017.