Mel Stride appointed Commons Leader after Andrea Leadsom quits over Theresa May's Brexit deal
2 min read
Mel Stride has been appointed as the new Leader of the Commons after Andrea Leadsom quit the post over Theresa May’s Brexit agreement.
The Central Devon MP has been handed the Cabinet role less than a day after his predecessor walked out, saying she no longer believed the Government's approach "will deliver on the referendum result".
The move has piled further pressure on Mrs May to announce the date of her departure, following a furious backlash at her Withdrawal Agreement Bill among Tory MPs and ministers.
In a hard-hitting resignation letter, Ms Leadsom, who backed leaving the EU in 2016, said: "I stayed in Cabinet to shape and fight for Brexit.
"There have been some uncomfortable compromises along the way, but you have had my determined support and loyalty in your efforts to deliver Brexit as our shared goal."
The 2016 Tory leadership contender, who dropped out and subsequently handed the top job to Mrs May, said she did not believe the PM’s Brexit deal would lead to "a truly sovereign United Kingdom".
She added: "I have always maintained that a second referendum 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."
Mr Stride is to be replaced as Paymaster General and Financial Secretary to the Treasury by former Transport minister Jesse Norman.
Mr Norman will in turn be replaced by former Culture minister Michael Ellis, whose role will be taken by Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow.
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