STEPHEN CRABB MP has commented tollowing the news of the Prime Minister’s resignation today (Friday, 24 May). Theresa May will stand down on June 7.
Mr Crabb said: “I’ve supported the Prime Minister over the last three years, both in public and in private, and I believe she has done her very best against almost impossible odds and I thank her for that.
“However, since Easter it has been increasingly clear that there will be no progress on Brexit under this Prime Minister and now is the time to turn the page to get a new leader in place.
“However, changing leader is no quick fix for our deeply divided country and I have said to a number of potential candidates that they should not pretend that the complexities of Brexit have gone away.
“Compromises will still need to be made, whoever takes over, but hopefully a new Prime Minister, bringing a fresh pair of eyes and ears, can find a way forward for the sake of the whole country.“
The Former Cabinet minister and Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb had called for the PM to be replaced within weeks yesterday.
The former Welsh Secretary and one-time contender for his Party’s leadership made his call in an interview with BBC Wales.
Speaking to The Herald Stephen Crabb said: “I’ve supported the PM over the last three years, both in public and in private, and I believe she has done her very best against almost impossible odds.
“However, since Easter, it has been increasingly clear that there will be no progress on Brexit under this Prime Minister and we need to turn the page to get a new leader in place – sooner rather than later.
“I absolutely don’t think changing leader is a quick fix and I have said to Boris Johnson and a number of other potential candidates that they should not pretend that the complexities of Brexit have gone away.
“Compromises will still need to be made, whoever takes over, but hopefully a new Prime Minister, bringing a fresh pair of eyes and ears, can find a way forward for the sake of the whole country. “
The stench of decay surrounding Theresa May’s premiership has finally become so intolerable that even MPs who have remained loyal to the PM’s pursuit of a Withdrawal Agreement now say it is time for the PM to go and go soon.
Mr Crabb and Mrs May are not natural political allies. Mr Crabb stood against the PM for the leadership of the Conservative Party and, despite his status as a former Cabinet minister, has remained a backbencher at a time when Conservative front bench talent has been notably thin.
Regardless of whether Mr Crabb’s exclusion from the government is by his choice or the PM’s, he has remained a vocal supporter of the Prime Minister’s efforts to secure a negotiated Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and EU.
However, although he has backed her efforts to get it through Parliament in the teeth of opposition from all sides, he says the PM’s approach no longer has his support.
Mr Crabb told BBC Wales on Wednesday that his party has “come to the end of the road with this prime minister”.
“We are at a moment where we do need to turn a page and look at a new prime minister coming in the next few weeks,” he said.
“It is clear talking to colleagues from all parts of the parliamentary party, even the more moderate centrists, that for all her efforts Theresa May hasn’t been able to deliver this pragmatic Brexit.
“We need to turn the page as quickly as possible and get into the leadership contest, which has already started in all but name.”
