I won’t support no-deal Brexit: Davidson

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has publicly challenged Boris Johnson over his Brexit plans, saying she will not support a no-deal exit from the EU.

Her frank warning came as Michael Gove, who is now in charge of no-deal preparations at the Cabinet Office, said the government is “operating on the assumption” of the UK leaving the bloc without a deal.

While the aim for the new prime minister is still to leave with an agreement, his hardline approach and vow to “abolish” the backstop has been stonewalled by Brussels, who have refused to change their position.

“With a new prime minister, a new government, a new clarity of mission, we will exit from the EU on October 31. No ifs. No buts. No more delay. Brexit is happening,” Gove wrote in the Sunday Times.

Sajid Javid, the new chancellor, will also ramp up preparations for a no-deal scenario this week by announcing a £1bn spending package to be made available to government departments.

But in a sign of frustration at the approach of the new government, Ms Davidson, who is often referred to as a rising star in the Conservative Party, used a newspaper column to outline her opposition.

In the Scottish Mail on Sunday, Ms Davidson said: “I hope beyond measure the new prime minister is successful in getting an agreement with the EU so he can go back to the House of Commons and get the majority backing he needs. He has my full support in those efforts.

“Where I differ with the UK Government is on the question of a no-deal Brexit.

“When I was debating against the pro-Brexit side in 2016, I don’t remember anybody saying we should crash out of the EU with no arrangements in place to help maintain the vital trade that flows uninterrupted between Britain and the EU.”

“I don’t think the government should pursue a no-deal Brexit and, if it comes it, I won’t support it,” she added. “I wrote to tell the former prime minister Theresa May that last year and I confirmed my position to her successor when I spoke to him last week.”

Davison, who has previously been highly critical of Mr Johnson, added: “As leader of the party in Scotland, my position exists independently of government. I don’t have to sign a no-deal pledge to continue to serve.”

The Independent