The Cabinet will be gathering at Chequers for an away-day to thrash out the government’s Brexit proposals. Pictured is a previous meeting at the PM’s country retreat in 2016
Prime Minister Theresa May
Backed Remain, has since insisted she will push through Brexit, leaving the single market and customs union.
Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington
A strong Remainer during the referendum campaign, recently made clear he has not changed his mind about it being better if the country had chosen to stay in the bloc.
Chancellor Philip Hammond
Seen as one of the main advocates of ‘soft’ Brexit in the Cabinet. Has been accused of trying to keep the UK tied to key parts of the customs union for years after the transition ends.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid
Brought in to replace Amber Rudd after she resigned amid the Windrush scandal, Mr Javid was seen as a reluctant Remainer in the referendum.
Many thought the former high-flying banker would plump for the Leave campaign, but he eventually claimed to have been won over by the economic case. He is likely to focus be guided by evidence about trade calculations in discussions over how closely aligned the UK should be with the EU.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson
The Brexit champion in the Cabinet, has been agitating for a more robust approach and previously played down the problems of leaving with no deal.
He is unhappy with plans for a tight customs arrangement with Brussels – warning that it could effectively mean being lashed to the EU indefinitely. Said to have bluntly dismissed concerns from pro-EU companies by saying ‘f*** business’.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove
Has buried the hatchet with Mr Johnson after brutally ending his Tory leadership campaign in the wake of David Cameron’s resignation.
Thought to be less concerned with short term concessions that Mr Johnson, but focused on ensuring the UK is free from Brussels rules in the longer term.
Brexit Secretary David Davis
A long-time Eurosceptic and veteran of the 1990s Maastricht battles, brought back by Mrs May in 2016 to oversee the day-to-day negotiations.
He has said the government will be seeking a ‘Canada plus plus plus’ deal from the EU.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox
Another Brexiteer, his red lines are about the UK’s ability to strike trade deals with the rest of the world, and escaping Brussels red tape.
Business Secretary Greg Clark
On the soft Brexit side of the Cabinet, Mr Clark has supported Mr Hammond’s efforts to maintain close links with the customs union. Came out strongly to defend business from Eurosceptic criticism, and has suggested the UK needs to stay closely tied to the single market.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson
Formerly a close ally of the Prime Minister and once viewed by some as her anointed successor.
They appear to have fallen out over defence funding, and he has sided with Brexiteers on customs arrangements and the need for Britain to be able to diverge from EU rules.
Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley
Supported Remain and has joined the push for soft Brexit. Key backer of the customs partnership plan who has insisted avoiding a hard Irish is the top priority.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt
A Remainer in the referendum campaign, Mr Hunt has since embraced the Brexiteer arguments – with speculation that he is positioning for a tilt at the top job should Mrs May be abruptly ousted. He has been heavily
Justice Secretary David Gauke
A former Chief Secretary to the Treasury when George Osborne was Chancellor, Mr Gauke has a keen understanding of the finances and how they might be affected by Brexit. He will take a pragmatic approach but is thought more likely to side with the Remainer faction.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds
A largely unknown quantity on Brexit, having backed Remain in 2016 but kept a low profile since.
Many believe he will take his lead from Mrs May, who fast-tracked his career into Cabinet in January this year.
Communities Secretary James Brokenshire
Another long-term May ally and previously seen as on the Cameroon wing of the party. He was brought back into the Cabinet immediately after returning from sick leave, and is expected to support the PM’s decisions on Brexit.
Work and Pensions Esther McVey
Staunch Brexiteer in the referendum battle – even though she was out of parliament at the time. She took George Osborne’s old Commons seat of Tatton when he stood down to edit the Evening Standard, but shows no sign of sharing his Remainer views.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling
The campaign manager for Mrs May’s Tory leadership, he is one of the hardest line Brexiteers in Cabinet but prefers to keep arguments behind closed doors.
He is loyal to the PM but will not compromise his commitment to making a clean break from the EU.
International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt
Earned her Brexiteer spurs during the referendum by publicly taking on David Cameron over whether Turkey was going to join the EU.
She is independent minded and highly ambitious, and likely to side with the harder Eurosceptic line in the Cabinet debate.
Culture Secretary Matt Hancock
Mr Hancock was for years seen as an Osborne acolyte, having served as his chief of staff before becoming an MP.
However, he is now starting to move out of his former mentor’s shadow. Thought to be Remain minded, but could swing if it looks like opinion is ranged against the PM.
Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis
A triathlon fan, Mr Lewis knows all about battling over the finish line. As a former immigration minister he is also well aware of the emphasis voters put on tightening up UK borders.
Expected to back a pragmatic solution, while sticking to the line that the UK must have the freedom to strike its own trade deals and control regulations.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell
Mr Mundell has been under intense pressure from the SNP to push for a softer Brexit within government. But in public he and the dozen other Scottish Tory MPs have succeeded in treading the tricky line between supporting Brexit and calling for close links to be maintained.
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns
Campaigned for Remain in the referendum, but Wales voted narrowly to Leave. His detailed views on Brexit are not clear.
Leader of the Lords Baroness Ruth Evans
Well aware of the practical difficulties the government will face in getting a Brexit deal through parliament, having played a key role in stewarding the EU Withdrawal Bill through the Upper House.