Guildford’s MP Resigns Over the Prospect of a ‘No-deal’ Brexit

Published on: 23 Jul, 2019
Updated on: 24 Jul, 2019

Rt Hon Anne Milton MP

Anne Milton, Guildford’s MP, has resigned from the government today after 13 years on the frontbenches. In her letter of resignation, she says she has “grave concerns” about the prospect of leaving the EU with no deal.

The news came through minutes before the announcement of Boris Johnson as the winning candidate in the Conservative leadership election and therefore the next prime minister.

In a press statement Ms Milton who was the Minister of State for Skills and Apprenticeships said, “I abstained last week on the amendment on the prorogation of Parliament and have reflected on this, in my view if we are to leave the EU it is essential we maintain a close relationship with our nearest neighbours and biggest trading partners and I will continue to support the government as it tries to find a way to achieve this.

Anne Milton’s announcement on Twitter

“I had hoped we could have left the EU on 29 March and regret that this was not possible.

“It has been an honour and privilege to serve in government.  I am proud of what we have achieved, particularly my final role implementing the Apprenticeship Programme which will be vital for the country’s future after Brexit.

“I will continue to represent my constituents, but I believe I can do this most effectively from the backbenches.”

The Guildford MP only announced the way she voted in the 2016 referendum after the polls had closed. She voted Remain and said she was surprised at the size of the 42% Leave vote in Guildford.

Given the majority for Remain in Guildford, local Liberal Democrats are known to be looking forward to the opportunity of challenging her considerable majority if a general election is called. Despite speculation that the 63-year-old MP might decide to retire, she has previously told the Guildford Dragon that she intended to carry on for another term.

Guildford’s 2017 general election result showing Anne Milton’s dominance despite a 5% swing to the Lib Dems – Source Wikipedia

Asked on the BBC’s Politics Live programme if she would be prepared to vote against a Boris Johnson government to stop “no-deal” the former deputy chief whip said: “I would be very reluctant to vote against the government and the party that I am part of. I would be very nervous of Jeremy Corbyn running the country, that would be a great deal worse.”

Anne Milton on the BBC’s Politics Live

When pushed for a definitive answer on her voting intention to stop a no-deal proposal she said that she did not think it would come to that so, “I won’t have to make that terrible decision.”

Former borough councillor and Leave campaigner Christian Holliday commented: “It’s a shame to see Anne leave government. I think all existing ministers should be prepared to give the new leader’s programme a chance.

“Boris Johnson has been democratically elected as Party leader. He has emphasised that we are leaving the EU, not Europe. Once we have left the EU we can turn our attentions to our future relationship.”

But Bob Hughes, chairman of the Guildford Conservative Association, was more sympathetic. He said: “Anne is a hard-working and a popular MP for Guildford. In making what must have been a difficult decision to give up her position as a minister, she is characteristically putting her constituents first.

“Probably uniquely, Anne consulted her constituents during the EU referendum and narrowly came down on the side of remain. Since then she has continued to engage with people on all sides of the debate and all views on Brexit. Some people will disagree with her decision today, but she will be widely respected for putting Guildford and her country first.”

Below is Anne Milton’s resignation letter, in full:

Anne Milton’s resignation letter

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