A Tory backbencher has revealed that Theresa May could be on her way out after David Davis resigned as the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.
The Brexit secretary became the fifth cabinet minister to step down in under a year after Amber Rudd, Michael Fallon, Priti Patel and Damian Green vacated their positions.
The succession of resignations has raised doubts over May’s pledge to run a “strong and stable” government, and has led to rumours that her own position could be on the line.
According to Sky News political correspondent Lewis Goodall a backbench Brexiteer MP has informed him that a “new leader is on its way” in the wake of the controversial Chequers meeting.
Ministers agreed to pursue a soft Brexit plan at the meeting, even though Boris Johnson described May’s Brexit proposals as “polishing a turd”.
Reports have emerged since of Tory plots to oust the Prime Minister with letters calling for a Tory leadership handed to the party’s backbench 1922 Committee by Conservative MPs.
Theresa May’s plan has been attacked from all sides – as unworkable and damaging for jobs by business figures – and as tying Britain to EU market rules without any say over them by hard brexiteers.
David Davis said he “wouldn’t have done a good job” of delivering May’s Brexit plan, with Tory MP Marcus Fysh saying the plan is paramount to breaking manifesto pledges, which “has consequences”.
Davis for PM
After his surprise resignation Davis is now one of the frontrunners to replace Theresa May as Tory leader.
The current Prime Minister is now odds-on at 1/2 to face a leadership challenge at any point this year, and 4/5 to be replaced.
Betway’s Alan Alger said: “Not many saw David Davis’ resignation coming at this point in the Brexit process and questions could begin to arise as to whether he’s contemplating challenging Theresa May as Tory leader.
“Davis is 7/1 to be the next Tory leader, behind Michael Gove at 5/1 and staunch Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg, who can be backed at 6/1.
“As the dust settles on David Davis’ departure, confidence in Theresa May looks at an all-time low, and at 1/2 to face at leadership challenge, times look very turbulent for her in the near future.”
Next Tory Leader:
| Michael Gove | 5/1 |
| Jacob Rees-Mogg | 6/1 |
| David Davis | 7/1 |
| Sajid Javid | 7/1 |
| Boris Johnson | 9/1 |
| BAR | 12/1 |
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