Her letter to the Prime Minister emphasise that ‘we agreed on just about everything apart from Brexit…I trust in your One Nation outlook’.
The South Ribble MP’s departure is a surprise – as is the fact that a shortlist to replace her has been agreed in secret before her news was announced.
It is time for the Commons to stop telling us what it’s against and to show what it’s for, which ought to be: this deal.
An obscure, unused agreement struck by Cameron and the 1922 Committee back in 2006 is set to come into play.
“Sooner or later there will have to be a general election, and then there will be a reckoning.”
Many are choosing to depart at an age which would have been very unusual in earlier times, and each gives Johnson a new chance to reshape the parliamentary party.
“As always my door is open to all colleagues…”
Sir Malcolm Rifkind says there only needs to be “a small number” who rebel, and “it seems likely the numbers are there”.
The strategist who has entered Downing Street, and the Brexiteer ‘Spartan’ who has opted to stay on the backbenches, have history and some shared qualities.
It’s 21 Ministers and counting this year alone, and over 50 in all over the course of this Government.
Margot James resigned as a minister following her rebellion. Meanwhile, the Chancellor joined Gauke and Clark in failing to support the Government.
In 2010, Eric Pickles gave my intake the benefit of his experience. Now, in turn, I offer a few lessons I’ve picked up.