Gareth Johnson resigns: Tory whip quits government ahead of Theresa May's Brexit deal vote

Gareth Johnson, the Conservative MP for Dartford
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Tory whip Gareth Johnson has quit the government to oppose Theresa May's Brexit deal in this week's meaningful vote.

The MP for Dartford, which voted leave in the 2016 referendum, wrote a letter to the prime minister saying the backstop in her agreement "gives our country no clear, unilateral path out of the European Union and ensures we will be fettered in our ability to negotiate trade deals".

"This agreement prevents us from taking back control and instead could leave us perpetually constrained by the European Union," he said. "Like you, I am not only a Conservative but I am also a committed unionist and I cannot accept the additional regulatory compliance required of Northern Ireland that would set it apart from the rest of the United Kingdom."

Stating the move is "possibly the hardest decision I have ever made", he added: "I have decided the time has come to place my loyalty to my country above my loyalty to the government."

Mr Johnson said at first he was "hopeful that changes could be made" to improve Mrs May's deal with the EU.

However, he said: "It is now clear to me that no significant change will be made to this agreement before the meaningful vote takes place.

"I hope, however, that even at this late stage, efforts will continue to change the terms of this agreement and the impact it would have on our country.

"We need to rediscover our confidence and belief in our country's ability to stand tall in the world without the European Union overseeing and managing our future."

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Just over 65 per cent of Mr Johnson's Dartford constituency voted leave in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

His letter added: "Along with nearly two thirds of my constituents and a majority of the country, I supported 'leave' in the referendum as I wanted the UK to take back the sovereignty we had lost during our membership of the European Union.

"Unfortunately, this agreement prevents us taking back control and instead could leave us perpetually constrained by the European Union."

Mr Johnson's announcement comes as Mrs May received a joint letter from European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker which said they were "not in a position" to rewrite or amend the Withdrawal Agreement secured last year.

But they assured the Prime Minister that the EU "does not wish to see the backstop enter into force", as it would represent a "sub-optimal trading arrangement for both sides".

The EU presidents stated: "Were the backstop to enter into force in whole or in part, it is intended to apply only temporarily, unless and until it is superseded by a subsequent agreement."

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