As far as Brexit goes, Thursday November 15 will go down as one of the most eventful in the history of Britain’s attempts to leave the European Union.
From ministerial resignations to comparisons with England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott, Twitter has been abuzz with chat about the day’s events.
The morning after Prime Minister Theresa May announced her Cabinet had agreed the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement, Dominac Raab announced he was resigning as Brexit Secretary, tweeting: “I cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU.”
Today, I have resigned as Brexit Secretary. I cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU. Here is my letter to the PM explaining my reasons, and my enduring respect for her. pic.twitter.com/tf5CUZnnUz
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) November 15, 2018
Comedian Shappi Khorsandi offered to take Mr Raab’s place.
Oh god ALRIGHT! *I’LL* be Brexit secretary
— Shappi Khorsandi (@ShappiKhorsandi) November 15, 2018
Meanwhile this journalist drew comparison to the Harry Potter books.
Being Brexit Secretary is basically the Cabinet’s cursed Defence Against the Dark Arts post
— Josh Salisbury (@josh_salisbury) November 15, 2018
And comedian Ian Stone suggested everybody should get a go at Mr Raab’s job.
Was it not Andy Warhol who said that in the future everyone would be Brexit secretary for fifteen minutes?
— Ian Stone (@iandstone) November 15, 2018
In fact, with other ministers resigning too, it was difficult to keep up with who was doing what, and where.
Just noticed John Lewis trending at number 2.
Which government department has he resigned from? ?#BrexitChaos
— Rachael Swindon #GTTO (@Rachael_Swindon) November 15, 2018
May was then faced with a trip to the House of Commons to make a statement, saying that the draft treaty agreed by Cabinet on Wednesday was not a final agreement, but brings the UK “close to a Brexit deal”.
Not everyone was convinced…
The House of Commons, 15th November, 2018. Pictured: Theresa May pic.twitter.com/kzByWyCG36
— aren (@arenkennedy) November 15, 2018
… although the Prime Minister continued unabated.
May in the commons right now. pic.twitter.com/NWlNknNpJf
— Centrist Dad #FBPE (@dad_centrist) November 15, 2018
And while much of the morning’s talk surrounded those who had stepped down, some were more interested in whether Mrs May herself would resign.
Exclusive picture of Jacob Rees-Mogg’s letter of no confidence: pic.twitter.com/WQbTeXZl9b
— Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) November 15, 2018
Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg submitted a letter of no-confidence in Mrs May, another blow in a bruising day for her premiership.
Some, including former deputy prime minister John Prescott, pondered how Rees-Mogg might deliver the letter.
Who will deliver Jacob Rees Mogg’s letter of no confidence in May to Graham Brady?
— John Prescott (@johnprescott) November 15, 2018
The Tory MP was also consistently heckled by an anti-Brexit protester while he made a statement to reporters.
An anti-Brexit protester heckled Jacob Rees-Mogg as he addressed reporters outside the Commons.
“The ERG [European Research Group] is finished and so are you Mr Rees-Mogg,” the demonstrator shouted through a megaphone. pic.twitter.com/CuNqnpowmc
— Richard Woodward (@WoodwardRJ) November 15, 2018
After all that there was the simple matter of another news conference from the Prime Minister at Downing Street.
Theresa May is some 22 minutes late for this press conference, leading to wide speculation it has been organised by the Transport Secretary.
— David Allen Green (@davidallengreen) November 15, 2018
With rumours suggesting a resignation could be on the cards, Mrs May began her speech with: “Serving in high office is an honour and privilege,” but only went on to double down on the course she has set for Brexit.
is it me, or did Theresa May pretend to resign in the first 20 seconds just now, then completely trolled the lot of us?
— Gary Northfield (@gnorthfield) November 15, 2018
Another Theresa May speech of her announcing nothing new pic.twitter.com/HSP1MWbALI
— Critical Optimist (@NamasteSalad) November 15, 2018
Whatever you think of her politics you have to be impressed with Theresa May’s fighting spirit. She ain’t no quitter #Brexit *reaches for tin hat*
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) November 15, 2018
The final question meanwhile prompted Mrs May to liken her determination to stick to her course to her cricketing hero – former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott.
“What do you know about Geoffrey Boycott? Geoffrey Boycott stuck to it and he got the runs in the end,” she said.
Out in Sri Lanka, I’m a bit off the political pace.
Has @theresa_may just made @GeoffreyBoycott the new Brexit secretary? #BBCCricket #brexitcrisis pic.twitter.com/KXQ3557eJz
— Adam Mountford (@tmsproducer) November 15, 2018
She is going to #Digin just like @GeoffreyBoycott … The PM has come out fighting & for that I really like her … Would be easy for her to give up and pack her bags … We love a fighter in this country so let’s get behind her …
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 15, 2018
Very apposite for the Prime Minister to use her Boycott analogy… He was, of course, famously and deliberately run out by one of his own teammates. Mr Botham, I believe.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 15, 2018
