Divided Cabinet: Who backs no-deal and who supports a softer Brexit?
- 1/20
Sajid Javid – Home Secretary
Sajid Javid has come out firmly against the idea of staying is a Customs Union. While not a staunch advocate he has played down the dangers of a no-deal, insisting the UK would remain “one of the safest countries in the world” in the event of leaving without a deal. (Reuters)
- 2/20
Jeremy Hunt – British Foreign Secretary
Jeremy Hunt has warned that a no-deal Brexit could mean the UK tipping into recession. However, he has also joined forces with Brexiteers and been openly critical of joining a Customs Union without the ability to exit. (Reuters)
- 3/20
Penny Mordaunt – Secretary of State for International Development
Penny Mordaunt is an ardent Brexiteer and has come out strongly against the Customs Union, saying it ‘wouldn’t fly with the public’. She has said voters increasingly want a no-deal Brexit because “to them, no Brexit is worse than no-deal”. (Reuters)
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- 4/20
Stephen Barclay – Brexit Secretary
Stephen Barclay, the current Brexit Secretary, has sent contradictory messages about what he believes. Although he backs the PM’s deal, he has separately said that a no-deal would be better than a long delay. (Reuters)
- 5/20
Andrea Leadsom – Leader of the House of Commons
Andrea Leadsom has often spoken in the House about the importance of sticking to the Tory manifesto which rules out a Customs Union membership. She claimed this week that a no-deal Brexit wouldn’t be as “grim” as people think. (Reuters)
- 6/20
Liam Fox – Secretary of State for International Trade
Liam Fox is an avid Brexiteer, preferring a no-deal Brexit to a softer version. This week he wrote to Tory backbenchers warning against a Customs Union. It should be noted that a Customs Union would essentially put him out of a job as his department would cease to function if the EU continued to have control over the UK’s trade policy. (Reuters)
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- 7/20
Chris Grayling – Secretary of State for Transport
Chris Grayling has warned that joining a Customs Union would mean ceding power to countries like Lithuania. A Theresa May loyalist, he has said a no-deal would be the EU’s fault. (Reuters)
- 8/20
Liz Truss – Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Although she backed Remain in the 2016 referendum, Liz Truss has since become a Leaver and has often appeared on TV advocating for the PM’s deal. He has, however, also claimed that Britain is fully prepared for a no deal Brexit and that Britons should have “no fear”. (Reuters)
- 9/20
Gavin Williamson – Secretary of State for Defence
Gavin Williamson has also insisted Britain could make a go of no deal. He is highly ambitious and widely regarded as seeing himself as a leadership contender. (Reuters)
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- 10/20
David Gauke – Secretary of State for Justice
David Gauke has warned the PM that she cannot ignore the MPs who vote for a softer Brexit. Although he has said the PM’s deal is the best one, he has maintained that there are ‘no ideal choices’ and has threatened to resign over a no-deal. (Reuters)
- 11/20
Amber Rudd – Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Amber Rudd was one of the Cabinet ministers to publically urge Therea May to extend the Brexit deadline and is likely to resign rather than back a no-deal senario. (Reuters)
- 12/20
David Lidington – Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Theresa May’s de facto David Lidlington is loyal to the Prime Minister. He told business leaders last week that a no-deal is not government policy and would threaten the integrity of the UK. (Reuters)
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- 13/20
Greg Clark – Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Greg Clark has openly said he would defy Theresa May rather than risk a no-deal Brexit, calling it a ‘disaster’ and that it would ‘destroy the country’. Source: Reuters
- 14/20
Matt Hancock – Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Matt Hancock has not been as vocal as other ministers but has spoken of his support for Theresa May’s deal. He has also said no-deal Brexit won’t happen – whether Britain wants it to or not.(Reuters)
- 15/20
Damian Hinds – Education Secretary
Damian Hinds has stated on the record that the lack of progress on Brexit is due to a ‘collective failure of the political class’ and that there are many reasons not to want a no-deal. (Reuters)
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- 16/20
Philip Hammond – Chancellor of the Exchequer
Philip Hammond has repeatedly warned against a no-deal. He is widely disliked by pro-Brexiteers and he is seen as being supportive of attempts to stop Brexit altogether after hinting at support for a second referendum. (Reuters)
- 17/20
David Mundell – Secretary of State for Scotland
David Mundell has always supported the PM’s deal. However, he is thought to be against a no-deal Brexit because it would hand the SNP an “easy win”. (Reuters)
- 18/20
James Brokenshire – Communities Secretary
James Brokenshire’s position is less clear than other ministers; he abstained from voting for or against anything else that was brought forward during the indicative votes. (Reuters)
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- 19/20
Michael Gove – Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Michael Gove turned down Mrs May’s offer of being Brexit Secretary last year but has recently told MPs he would reluctantly accept a soft Brexit over no Brexit at all. (Reuters)
- 20/20
Karen Bradley – Northern Ireland Secretary
Karen Bradley wrote in a letter to her constituents that her goal is to leave the EU with a deal, but voted to keep no-deal on the table as a negotiating chip. (Reuters)

As Theresa May battles to win Brexit compromises from the EU, she is also struggling to hold together a warring Cabinet that is deeply divided over how best to leave the bloc.
While some Eurosceptic ministers favour a no-deal Brexit, Remainers are advocating the softest exit possible with continuing close ties to the EU.
The issue of the Customs Union continues to split Tories.
Eurosceptics despise the idea, saying it would leave the UK subject to rules from Brussels and unable to negotiate trade deals.
Soft Brexiteers argue a Customs Union will allow trade to continue and prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
So, who in the Cabinet could move to support a Customs Union, and who is against (and who is waiting for the right time to try and topple the Prime Minister)?