Theresa May vows to resign before further negotiations if her Brexit deal is passed
Theresa May will quit as Prime Minister before the next stage of Brexit negotiations she told her party tonight in a last bid attempt to get MPs to back her deal.
Speaking to Conservative MPs in a packed meeting in parliament, May said she was aware her party wanted “new leadership” for any trade negotiations with Brussels.
However, those talks can only begin if parliament signs off on the withdrawal agreement.
In a speech described as “authoritative” and “human” by MPs in the room, May admitted she had made mistakes as party leader but urged her colleagues to vote for her deal at the third time of asking.
She said: “I am prepared to leave this job earlier than I intended in order to do what is right for our country and our party.
“I ask everyone in this room to back the deal so we can complete our historic duty – to deliver on the decision of the British people and leave the European Union with a smooth and orderly exit.”
May did not set a specific date for her departure, but if the meaningful vote is passed this week and the UK leaves the EU on May 22, the trade talks are likely to being in October.
That suggests a leadership contest could take place throughout June and July with a new leader in place before the summer recess.
If May had hoped the promise of her departure would win over all of those opposed to her deal, she will be disappointed that Andrea Jenkyns and Andrew Bridgen both confirmed to Morning Wire after the meeting they would still vote against her plan.
Bridgen said: "She came over as human as she possible could have done and it makes me feel bad for not supporting her but at the end of the day, on a human level I feel really sorry for her, but I have got to think about the country and the country's bigger than me or Theresa May or anybody else in that room."
May also told MPs: “This has been a testing time for our country and our party. We’re nearly there. We’re almost ready to start a new chapter and build that brighter future.
“But before we can do that, we have to finish the job in hand. As I say, I don’t tour the bars and engage in the gossip – but I do make time to speak to colleagues, and I have a great team in the Whips' Office. I also have two excellent PPSs.
“And I have heard very clearly the mood of the parliamentary party. I know there is a desire for a new approach – and new leadership – in the second phase of the Brexit negotiations – and I won’t stand in the way of that.
“I know some people are worried that if you vote for the Withdrawal Agreement, I will take that as a mandate to rush on into phase two without the debate we need to have. I won’t – I hear what you are saying.
“But we need to get the deal through and deliver Brexit."