Former Theresa May Cabinet allies in 'fight to unite Tories behind sensible Brexit’
2 min read
Three former cabinet ministers have told Theresa May that most Tory MPs are in favour of compromising with the European Union in Brexit talks.
Amber Rudd, Damian Green and Justine Greening, each of whom have left the Government in recent months, are said to have told the Prime Minister that a large majority in the parliamentary party back a "sensible" approach to leaving.
The Times says the group held a series of informal consultations with backbench MPs on both sides of the Brexit divide in a bid to reach a “pragmatic approach” to the negotiations.
The trio, who backed Remain and were recognised as allies to Mrs May during their time in Government, reportedly told the PM to pursue a policy that kept the UK closely aligned to the single market and customs union.
The paper reports that they insisted neither the hardliners among the pro- or anti-Brexit wings of the Conservative party speak for the “vast majority” of MPs.
“That’s where the vast majority of the party is,” Ms Rudd told the paper.
“We just haven’t been as shouty. We wanted to tell the prime minister what lots of MPs are telling us: sensible Brexit please.”
The former home secretary ruled out remaining in the customs union but said: “Whatever customs union alternative we go for we have to give ourselves sufficient time to deliver it.
“What is practical must be the guiding principle while protecting the Good Friday agreement.”
The report says the group has also tried to broker a deal with the party’s avid Eurosceptics in a bid to maintain the Prime Minister's red lines on Brexit.
This would include allowing the UK to remain aligned with single market rules on goods in order to preserve trade.
They are also said to be supportive of a government pledge to stay in a customs union temporarily while new arrangements are formed to avoid disruption.
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