Yahoo News Boris Johnson should resign as prime minister if Brexit talks end in no-deal, says Tory MP
Boris Johnson should resign as prime minister if ongoing talks between the UK and the EU end in a no-deal Brexit, a Tory MP has said.
Sir Roger Gale said Johnson will have “failed the people” of the UK if a deal is not reached ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December.
The 77-year-old, who has been the Conservative MP for North Thanet for 37 years, said Johnson “would have to make way” for someone else if the UK leaves the EU without a trade deal.
Gale, who was against the UK leaving the EU ahead of the Brexit referendum in 2016, tweeted on Monday: “If Mr Johnson fails to reach an acceptable trade agreement with the EU the prime minister will also have failed the people of the United Kingdom.
Watch: What are the sticking points in Brexit trade deal?
“As a lifelong member of the Conservative Party, I believe that Mr Johnson's position as prime minister would be untenable.
“As an honourable man, he would have to make way for somebody more able to pick up the pieces, to reunite the whole country and to show the leadership that Great Britain and Northern Ireland deserves.”
On Sunday, the UK and the EU agreed to extend the talks after a phone call between Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
As an honourable man, he would have to make way for somebody more able to pick up the pieces, to re-unite the whole Country and to show the leadership that Great Britain and Northern Ireland deserves. 2/2
— Sir Roger Gale MP (@SirRogerGale) December 14, 2020
Despite being “far apart” on key issues, Johnson insisted the UK would not yet walk away from the negotiating table.
He said the UK will continue trying to secure a Brexit deal but that it must also prepare for a no-deal outcome.
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said there was still “a long way to go” on the Brexit talks.
If there is no trade deal in place by 31 December, the UK and the EU will begin trading on World Trade Organization terms, meaning tariffs will be introduced, which could increase the price of imported good such as food.
The two sides remain deadlocked over fishing rights, a level playing field for businesses and how any agreement should be policed.
On Monday, the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said there had been limited progress in one area of discussions but that disagreements remain on other issues.
Last week, the EU warned there could be “serious disruption and public disorder” on roads within weeks if a trade deal is not agreed.
Watch: Why is fishing so important in Brexit talks?
