Push on for vote to test UK PM Theresa May

The battlelines have been drawn for a Conservative Party leadership challenge by Boris Johnson against Theresa May.

British Prime Minister Theresa May in London yesterday. Picture: Getty Images

The battlelines have been drawn for a Conservative Party leadership challenge by Boris Johnson against Prime Minister Theresa May following a dramatic day of political upheaval that further muddied Britain’s relationship with the world.

As the EU signalled it would not accept the watered-down “soft” Brexit plan pushed through by Mrs May, increasing the risks of a no-deal Brexit, the US cast doubt on a bilateral trade deal while the direction of Australia’s own planned free-trade deal with the UK was in flux.

Mr Johnson posted a withering resignation letter warning the Brexit dream and a truly independent Britain was “dying — suffocated by self-doubt”.

He said Mrs May’s plans would bring about a “semi-­Brexit’’ and could send Britain to “the status of a colony’’.

“We are now in the ludicrous position of asserting that we must accept huge amounts of precisely such (burdensome) EU law, without changing an iota, because it is essential for our economic health — and when we no longer have any ability to influence these laws as they are made,’’ he said.

Mr Johnson warned of the difficulties for countries, including Australia, to strike new trade deals. “It is also clear that by ­surrendering control over our rule book for goods and agrifoods (and much else besides) we will make it much more difficult to do free-trade deals.

“And then there is the further impediment of having to argue for an impractical and undeliverable customs arrangement unlike any other in existence.’’

In an icy reply, Mrs May said he was doing the right thing by ­resigning. Her supporters derided Mr Johnson for posing for photographs while signing his resignation letter.

The resignations of Mr Johnson and the Brexit secretary David Davis, both arch-Brexiteers, were sparked by concessions Mrs May has already proposed and both feared further dilution of British independence in further discussions with the EU before next March’s exit.

Mrs May has shored up her position by appointing Remainers into the most senior cabinet positions, including ­Jeremy Hunt as foreign secretary, angering the Brexiteers. But she made Leaver ­Dominic Raab Brexit secretary.

Late last night, as some Brexiteers said they were plotting a “guerrilla” campaign against her, Mrs May’s frontbench backed her at what she described in a tweet as a “productive” cabinet meeting.

Senior Tory figures, including leading Brexiteer Michael Gove, backed her, with Mr Gove declaring he supported the Prime Minister’s plans “100 per cent”.

It appears Eurosceptic MPs will raise the required number of 48 letters of no confidence in the Prime Minister to trigger a vote among the 300 Tory MPs. The party’s 1922 Committee would then set a timeline for a vote. Agitators are keen to force the issue before the long August recess.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, who leads a group of about 80 MPs, said Mr Johnson would make a brilliant prime minister. Mrs May’s advisers have insisted she will fight any challenge and is not preparing to stand down. She has fiercely ­argued that forcing her out would lead to an election victory by ­Labour and Jeremy Corbyn.

Solicitor-General Robert Buckland said Mrs May had ­received strong support during a meeting of MPs and she could emerge from the turmoil in a stronger position.

“She talked about Jeremy Corbyn, she talked about the alternative being to deliver the country to the sort of government people didn’t vote for and any Conservative voter would be repelled by,’’ Mr Buckland said. “I think she is strengthened by all of this, I think it helps her.”

Despite the crisis, the EU ­appeared determined to punish Britain for leaving. While Mr Johnson claimed Mrs May was going into battle with “the white flags fluttering above’’, EU leaders cited Britain’s inability to decide what kind of Brexit it wanted.

The European Parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, tweeted: “Walking out of the government won’t make Brexit go away, but as an optimist by nature, I hope that it creates some unity needed to find a parliamentary majority for an agreement that works. #BrexitShambles.’’

The government’s white paper on Brexit, initially due before parliament on Thursday, has been delayed until next week.

Mr Hunt said he was “foursquare’’ behind Mrs May and while ­nations were looking at the UK wondering what sort of country it was going to be in the post-Brexit world, Britain would be a “dependable ally”.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she had developed a strong friendship with Mr Johnson but expected a smooth transition.

Additional reporting: Rachel Baxendale