Philip Hammond has warned Boris Johnson he’s prepared to turn on the Tory Government if the new prime minister goes for a no-deal Brexit.
In a sign of the war to come in the top ranks of the Tory party, the Chancellor said it was “absolutely necessary” for the UK to extend its EU membership beyond the October 31 deadline.
Johnson, who is set to be named Tory leader on Tuesday and made prime minister the day after, has campaigned on a “do or die” ticket to leave by that date.
But Hammond, who is preparing to leave the Cabinet, is ready to oppose him and with the Tories only having a tiny majority at Westminster the Chancellor could help bring down the Government.
Asked if he would rule out backing a no-confidence motion against Johnson, Hammond told European newspapers: “I will take steps to avoid an exit without agreement apart from an explicit parliamentary approval.”
It was a stark warning to Johnson not to prorogue, or suspend, parliament to force no-deal through.
Hammond was one of four Cabinet ministers to break ranks and abstain on Thursday as MPs which would limit Johnson’s ability to take Britain out without a deal or a Commons vote.
He said: “There should be a new and sincere attempt to reach a consensus. If we do not find a solution with the members, we may have to ask the British to give their opinion again, in one form or another.”
Hammond said he could not see any prospect of a successful negotiation with the EU before October 31, and could not accept the economic damage a no-deal exit would cause.
The independent Office for Budget Responsibility warned this week that a no-deal Brexit would mean £30billion of extra government borrowing.
Hammond said: “Extending the deadline is absolutely necessary. It is simply impossible to negotiate anything before October 31.”
