Although Theresa May’s Cabinet has finally managed to reach a loose agreement on what they would like to achieve from the upcoming negotiations, the Prime Minister’s troubles look set to continue for the foreseeable. With Jeremy Corbyn expected to confirm that his party backs the UK staying in ‘a’ customs union post-Brexit, there’s growing concern in Whitehall that May’s government could collapse this year.
The most imminent threat comes from the Remain side of her party. The Sunday Times reports that Julian Smith, the chief whip, told May there is a ‘very real threat’ that Labour could unite with 15 to 20 Tory rebels to defeat the government on their decision to rule out membership of a customs union. This vote – on Anna Soubry’s amendment to the trade bill – has been delayed to give the government time to try and remedy the situation. Karen Bradley, the Northern Ireland secretary, is said to have warned May that the DUP should not be relied upon to back the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, David Davis is reported to have expressed concern that Jacob Rees-Mogg’s appointment as leader of the European Research Group – the Brexiteer wing of the party – has led to MPs ‘militarising’ against May.
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