Philip Hammond insists Theresa May WILL step down when Brexit is passed by the Commons

PHILIP Hammond insists the PM will be “as good as her word” - and go when Brexit is passed by the Commons.

Speaking yesterday the Chancellor signalled he believed it was time for a change – by ducking whether Theresa May should stay on until Tory conference in October.

2

But he said the only way for those wanting her to go “sooner” was to pass her EU agreement. It came as the Chancellor made an extraordinary pitch to stay on under a new leader.

Speaking to the Evening Standard he admitted he wouldn’t stand a chance in any leadership contest himself given his softer stance on Brexit.

But he said he would like to stay on at the Treasury under a leader who, he admits, would have to be a “believer in Brexit”.

And he praised would-be leader Dominic Raab’s idea to lop a penny off income tax – saying it was “perfectly credible” given the healthier state of the public finances.
He added the leadership contest would have to be conducted “as quickly as possible” to reduce uncertainty.

MOST READ IN POLITICS

HOMES ROW

PM’s house-building blitz is pointless as homes will go to migrants, say Tories

JURY'S OUT

Jury trials facing the axe to ease record court backlog in huge shake-up

BRUTAL 'ATTACK' 

Ex-Tory MP's daughter was punched in the face by her husband, court hears

DON IT AGAIN

Trump rings NYSE bell as he celebrates second Time Person of the Year win

He said: “This isn’t just about the leader of the party, it’s about the Prime Minister.”

The Sun yesterday revealed Theresa May had opened talks with Tory grandees about her departure.

She will address demands from Tory backbenchers seeking clarity on when she will go – in the event a Brexit deal doesn’t pass – in person next week.

2

• GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]