THE UK Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister George Eustace has resigned from Government over the possibility that Brexit will be delayed, believing the country is set on the path to a “final humiliation”.
Mr Eustace, who becomes the 11th minister to resign over Britian's withdrawal from the EU, insists that Britain must summon up the courage to be ready to “face down the European Union here and now” and “reclaim our freedom” by leaving without a deal, if necessary, and then talk to Brussels afterwards.
In a letter to Theresa May, the Cornish MP, who campaigned to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum, explained he had resigned because of her decision to open up the path to putting back Brexit Day from March 29.
Read more: Theresa May offers MPs Article 50 delay vote
He wrote: “Since Parliament is now in direct control of events, I want to be free to participate in the critical debate that will take place in the weeks ahead.”
Mr Eustace made clear he would vote for the Prime Minister’s Withdrawal Agreement when it returns to the Commons and said he very much hoped Geoffrey Cox, the Attorney General, succeeded in securing final changes to the backstop.
“Although I campaigned to leave, I have always supported compromise to achieve a reconciliation in our country. Leaving the EU would represent an historic change and it is natural that some people will feel apprehensive.”
The MP for Camborne and Redruth said he had been open to the idea of using the UK’s existing membership of the European Economic Area as an exit mechanism and pointed out how he had supported Mrs May’s approach outlined at Chequers when others did not.
“I have stuck with the Government through a series of rather undignified retreats,” he declared but noted: “However, I fear that developments this week will lead to a sequence of events culminating in the EU dictating the terms of any extension requested and the final humiliation of our country.
Read more: Brexit deal 'within our grasp,' claims Theresa May as she sets her face against extending Article 50
“I appreciate that you have been terribly undermined by those in Parliament who refuse to respect the referendum result. You have shown tenacity and resilience over the past year. However, what our country needs from all its political leaders at this critical juncture is courage and we are about to find out whether Parliament has it.”
Mr Eustace said, as a minister, he had enjoyed good relations with the European Commission and with ministers from other member states.
But he then noted: “I do not believe that the Commission has behaved honourably during these negotiations. They have deliberately made progress slow and difficult. They have stated in terms that they will refuse to even hold substantive negotiations on a future partnership until after we leave.
“If the position of Parliament is now that we will refuse to leave without an agreement, then we are somewhat stuck. This is uncomfortable for everyone but we cannot negotiate a successful Brexit unless we are prepared to walk through the door,” insisted the former minister.
Read more: We must support Government through Brexit, insists Micheal Martin
He went on: “We must therefore have the courage, if necessary, to reclaim our freedom first and talk afterwards. We must be ready to face down the European Union here and now. The absence of an agreement poses risks and costs for them too. We already know that in the event of ‘no-deal the EU will seek an informal transition period for nine months in many areas and settlement talks could continue within this window.”
Mr Eustace added: “I will do what I can from the back benches to try to salvage this sorry situation and I hope that, when the moment comes, Parliament will not let our country down.”
In response, Ian Blackford, the SNP Westminster leader, tweeted: "Another day another resignation from the UK Government. Any illusion to strong and stable ended before it began but this is beyond parody.
"This is not a functioning Government it is the Tory Party at war with itself under a prime minister who can't give leadership."
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