Theresa May rocked by Cabinet split as she admits 'difficult days lie ahead' on Brexit
3 min read
Theresa May won the backing of her Cabinet for her Brexit vision despite deep splits among her most senior ministers, it has emerged.
The Prime Minister told the country that "difficult days lie ahead" after a marathon five-hour Cabinet meeting during which a third of her top team spoke out against the deal she has struck with Brussels.
Under the plan, the UK will remain in a customs union with the EU as a way of avoiding a hard Irish border until a future trade deal can be agreed.
However, Northern Ireland will also have to stay in parts of the EU single market, thereby tying it closer to Brussels than the rest of the country.
And the "temporary" customs arrangement will only come to an end with the agreement of Brussels, meaning the UK cannot unilaterally walk away from the set-up.
Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson were among the 10 Cabinet minister who told today's meeting that they were unhappy with the deal.
Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey, another critic of the plan, clashed wth Theresa May as she demanded the issue be put to a vote, only to be over-ruled by Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill.
But despite the reservations of many of her colleagues, Mrs May secured their collective backing for the deal - although Downing Street still fear that some ministers could resign in the coming days.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister said: "The choices before us were difficult, particularly in relation to the Northern Ireland backstop. But the collective decision of Cabinet was that the Government should agree the draft withdrawal agreement and the outline political declaration.
"This is a decisive step which enables us to move on and finalise the deal in the days ahead. These decisions were not taken lightly but I believe it is a decision that is firmly in the national interest.
"When you strip away the detail the choice before us was clear. This deal, which delivers on the vote of the referendum, which brings back control of our money laws and borders, ends free movement, protects jobs security and our Union, or leave with no deal, or no Brexit at all?
"I know that there will be difficult days ahead. This is a decision which will come under intense scrutiny and that is entirely as it should be and entirely understandable.
"But the choice was this deal, which enables us to take back control and to build a brighter future for our country, or going back to square one with more division, more uncertainty and a failure to deliver on the referendum."
She added: "I believe that what I owe to this country is to take decision that are in the national interest and I firmly believe with my head and my heart that this is a decision that is in the best interests of our entire United Kingdom."
Mrs May held talks on Wednesday night with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and DUP boss Arlene Foster, but the signs are that she will faces a huge battle to get her deal through Parliament.
Ms Foster tweeted: "We had a frank meeting tonight with the Prime Minister lasting almost an hour. She is fully aware of our position and concerns."
It is thought that more Tory MPs have submitted letters of no confidence in her, leading to speculation that a vote could be called as early as tomorrow.
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