‘We are in a national crisis’: May must consider a customs union if MPs vote for it, senior minister says as he warns a ‘second or third choice’ Brexit may be the only way after hardliners defeated the PM’s deal a third time
Britain is in a ‘national crisis’ and Theresa May must consider a ‘second or third choice’ Brexit including a customs union if MPs back it, a senior minister said today.
Justice Secretary David Gauke, a leading Remainer, blamed Brexit hardliners for plunging Britain into chaos.
And he said Mrs May must consider tearing up the Tory party manifesto to get an orderly Brexit through Parliament if necessary.
Mr Gauke’s warning comes ahead of a second round of ‘indicative votes’ tomorrow night on alternatives to Mrs May’s Brexit deal. A customs union was a leading contender in the first round last week – but was still defeated by a majority.
It comes after the PM’s deal was defeated for a third time on Friday as 28 hardline Brexiteers and the DUP continued to vote against it.
Justice Secretary David Gauke, a leading Remainer, blamed Brexit hardliners for plunging Britain into chaos
Mr Gauke said Mrs May must consider tearing up the Tory party manifesto to get an orderly Brexit through Parliament if necessary
Amid the impasse – less than two weeks before Britain faces crashing out with No Deal – Mr Gauke told the BBC’s Andrew Marr ‘we would have to consider very closely what parliament decides to do’.
He said: ‘I would rather leave the customs union but we also have to recognise that my party does not have the votes to get the manifesto commitment through the Commons.
‘Sometimes you have to accept your second or third choice.’
Mr Gauke explicitly blamed Tory rebels, telling Marr Britain was in this situation because ‘too many colleagues’ were not backing the deal.
Amid claims he would resign if Mrs May ignored Parliament and switched to No Deal, Mr Gauke added: ‘I just don’t think the British people would thank us if we left without a deal and we said we were just following the referendum result.’
Mr Gauke’s intervention comes amid claims Mrs May faces mass resignations from her Cabinet whichever course she takes.
Mr Gauke’s warning comes ahead of a second round of ‘indicative votes’ tomorrow night on alternatives to Mrs May’s Brexit deal. A customs union was a leading contender in the first round last week – but was still defeated by a majority
The Justice Secretary is among a group insisting on compromise to avoid a No Deal Brexit. He is joined by Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd.
But accepting a customs union could see Brexiteer ministers including Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom walk out.
There are just days to resolve the impasse with No Deal currently due on April 12.
A long extension to Brexit could be agreed by the EU at an emergency summit on April 10 – but it will only happen if Britain agrees to hold EU elections and has a clear plan.