Senior Tories urge fed up Brexit-backing Ministers not to resign as it would collapse the Government
SENIOR Tories are urging fed up Brexit-backing Ministers not to resign - because it could collapse the Government.
Sources told The Sun that a number of junior Ministers want to follow Chris Heaton-Harris and Nigel Adams out the door after they both quit over the PM’s cross party talks with Labour.
Cabinet Ministers have also threatened to walk out over a possible second referendum.
But senior Tories are begging them to stay - to retain a “balance of power” with Remain Ministers, but also because it could hand the keys of power to Jeremy Corbyn.
One insider said: “We’re telling them that if they quit the whole thing could go, it’s that bad. We’re hardly keeping the show on the road as it is, the Government is hanging on by a thread. We’re doing nothing on housing, nothing on areas that should be key to the party.”
A dozen Ministers abstained on the Government’s vote to delay Brexit until June 30 on Tuesday – including Kwasi Kwarteng, Nadim Zahawi, Nusrat Ghani and Kelly Tolhurst.
Two whips, Mike Wood and Mark Spencer are among those thought to be on resignation watch. Ten whips abstained on Tuesday.
Brexit-backing Boris Johnson, David Davis, Dominic Raab and Esther McVey all quit Cabinet last year in protest at Theresa May’s Brexit plans.
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Ms McVey was replaced as Work and Pensions Secretary by Amber Rudd – who promptly led demands for the Government to rule out a No Deal and seek a softer Brexit.
One Tory said: “What would be the point of any resignations? It could just turn into Esther McVey being replaced by Amber Rudd again.
“You also have to wonder if there is anyone who would want to fill the vacancy."
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