PERSHORE’S MP Harriett Baldwin has launched a blistering attack on her fellow members of the House of Commons for the failure to pass a Brexit deal which ultimately led to the resignation of Prime Minister Theresa May.
The Prime Minister revealed last Friday (May 24) she would stand down as party leader on June 7 and speaking after the news was revealed, the West Worcestershire MP expressed her frustration at Parliament’s refusal to back the withdrawal agreement tabled by Mrs May.
Pershore’s MP, who serves in the Government as Africa Minister and also at the Department for International Development, has continually backed the controversial agreement negotiated between the Government and the European Union each time it has been voted on in the House of Commons.
“It is a continued frustration Parliament has not been able to come together to support the withdrawal agreement. As leaving without a deal is the default in legislation, a grumpy toddler with a blindfold on could achieve this outcome,” she said.
Mrs Baldwin refused to be drawn on who she would support in the Conservative leadership ballot which will see MPs begin voting to whittle the candidates down in the week beginning June 10. The final two candidates will then be put to a vote of the party membership before a new leader is named in late July.
Speaking to the Observer, Mrs Baldwin confirmed she had been approached by a number of leadership candidates and set out what she wanted to see from the new Tory party leader.
“To leave with a deal that secures the rights of British citizens in the EU, ensures Gibraltar and the Cyprus sovereign base areas aren’t disrupted, delivers a frictionless Northern Irish border, secures the Union and means goods, foods and medicines can continue to trade freely will require a leader with political skill.
“That is what I will be looking for in the leadership contest,” she added.
After a year as City Minister following the 2015 General Election, Mrs Baldwin was named a defence minister in Mrs May’s first reshuffle after she was crowned Conservative leader in July 2016 before moving to her current posts in a further reshuffle in January 2018.
“I am sad to see the Theresa May stepping down as leader of the party. No one could have worked harder to deliver the result of the referendum and leave the European Union in a smooth and orderly way,” she added.
Evesham’s MP Nigel Huddleston said: “I am saddened by her decision but I do understand it. The Prime Minister is a dedicated public servant and I wish to thank her for her years of service to my party and the nation.
“Theresa May became Prime Minister in challenging circumstances that would severely test anyone. People may disagree with her and the decisions she has made, but no-one can question her sense of duty or her resilience.
“I also owe a personal debt of gratitude to Theresa May as she came to support me as a candidate before I was even elected as an MP, and she showed her trust in me when she appointed me as a Parliamentary Private Secretary and more recently as Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party. I am grateful for the opportunities she has given me.
“I am confident her devotion to this country will not be over when she steps down as Prime Minister and am sure she will continue to serve the country in some capacity and participate in public life for many, many years to come.”
Mr Huddleston said he couldn’t, as Conservative Party vice-chairman, reveal his public support for one of the candidates while still holding the role but would stand down in order to back a candidate if needed.
