Theresa May has insisted she will not be pushed around by Brussels as Brexit negotiations heat up, as it emerged that Sir Lynton Crosby, who advised her in last year’s general election, is reportedly manoeuvring to derail the PM’s European Union (EU) withdrawal agenda.
As the deadline nears for Britain to leave the bloc, the prime minister stood by the government’s controversial Chequers exit plan despite continued sniping against it from her own party’s benches.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, Ms May said: “I will not be pushed into accepting compromises on the Chequers proposals that are not in our national interest. Neither will I give in to those who want to reopen the whole question with a second referendum ... To ask the question all over again would be a gross betrayal of our democracy – and a betrayal of that trust.”
She added: “We want to leave with a good deal and we are confident we can reach one. But, of course, there is still a lot more negotiating to be done.”
The comments came as it was reported that the election strategist who helped Boris Johnson win the London mayoralty was involved in a bid to scupper the Cabinet’s Chequers compromise.
Sir Lynton Crosby, who also advised Ms May in last year’s general election when the Tories lost their majority in a shock poll result, is manoeuvring to derail the PM’s EU withdrawal agenda with a coordinated national campaign, The Sunday Times reported.
David Canxini, a senior member of staff at his firm CTF Partners, is said to be working with the pro-Brexit group, Change Britain, to campaign against the Chequers deal.
The claims emerged as former minister and high-profile Tory MP Nick Boles, who backed Remain at the referendum, also came out against the deal.
He told The Sunday Telegraph that under current Government plans, the UK faces “the humiliation of a deal dictated by Brussels”, which is treating the Chequers proposals as an “opening bid”.
The PM also dismissed calls for a “people’s vote” on the terms of withdrawal.
She said: “To ask the question all over again would be a gross betrayal of our democracy.”
Ms May also said Britain would get through a no-deal outcome and “thrive”.
The PM’s aides have held talks with senior civil servants about whether to call a general election if a Brexit deal is rejected by MPs, according to The Sunday Times.
Press Association contributed to this report
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