Politics update: Leadsom resigns from the government, as May faces pressure to scrap the meaningful vote

Leadsom resigns as May hangs on to power

Andrea Leadsom resigned from the government on Wednesday evening, dealing a powerful blow to Theresa May’s ‘new’ Brexit deal.

Leadsom, who held the position of Leader of the House of Commons, resigned saying she “no longer believe that our approach will deliver on the referendum result

The prime minister is now said to be facing pressure from within her own party to abandon the withdrawal agreement bill, which has already been roundly rejected by MPs from all sides.

During meetings in Westminster on Thursday, there were reportedly calls from many Tory MPs for May to resign before her bill reaches the Commons. On the subject of May’s possible resignation, former Tory leader Ian Duncan Smith said: “The sofa is up against the door, she’s not leaving.”

Despite facing pressure from all sides to remove the proposal, a vote on the Withdrawal Bill is likely to take place some time in the first week of June.

Leadsom’s reasons for quitting

Part of her resignation letter reads:

“I no longer believe that our approach will deliver on the referendum result, for the following reasons:

1. I do not believe that we will be a truly sovereign United Kingdom through the deal that is now proposed;
2. I have always maintained that a second referendum would be dangerously divisive, and I do not support the government willingly facilitating such a concession. It would also risk undermining our union which is something I passionately want to see strengthened;
3. There has been such a breakdown of government processes that recent Brexit-related legislative proposals have not been properly scrutinised or approved by cabinet members;
4. The tolerance to those in cabinet who have advocated policies contrary to the government’s position has led to a complete breakdown of collective responsibility.”

Leadsom’s resignation on Thursday evening will be seen by many as the final blow to Theresa May’s Brexit deal, which has already been rejected by dozens of MPs.

EU elections take place across the country

Voters in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are heading to the polls today to vote for Members of the European Parliament.

Many across the UK are surprised, and some angry that MEPs have to be chosen, as Britain’s original Brexit deadline would have meant the vote would not be taking place today.

However, all in all seventy-three members MEPs will be elected today, in nine constituencies in England, and one each in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – 12 multi-member regional constituencies across the UK.

How to vote in the EU elections

You must be registered to vote in the UK, be 18 years old or over on 23 May, be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of an EU country.

Unfortunately, the deadline for registering to vote has now passed, so if you are not already registered you will not be able to take part.

Polling stations are open from 07:00 until 22:00 BST.

The results and what they mean

When the results come in, MEPs will be chosen in the order listed by their party, based on the overall share of the vote within each region.

Macron’s EU election chief weighs in on second referendum

Emmanuel Macron’s EU election chief has told broadcaster RTL that she doubts a second referendum would produce “a very different outcome”.

Nathalie Loiseau, who was previously the France’s Europe minister in charge of Brexit negotiations, warned that a fresh vote may lead to a majority of voters choosing to leave the EU again.

Speaking this week, Ms Loiseau said: “I’m not sure that a new referendum would necessarily have a very different outcome. I fear that the result would be again a very divided England.”

With regards to the current Brexit chaos in Westminster, Ms Loiseau added that it was paramount that the UK did not “export their crisis in the European Union.”

“England must go forward, Brexit must take place, and if need be in the future, later we will talk about [membership] again,” she said.

“But they cannot keep their foot in the door, say ‘I want to stay but leave, both at the same time, and above all block everything in the European Union’.”

What the Papers Say

The Telegraph

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The Guardian