UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has resigned in protest at the Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan. Video/AP
It has been a remarkable 24 hours in British politics, sparked by divisions in the ruling Conservative Party over Brexit.
Prime Minister Theresa May, who up until now has managed to struggle through the Brexit process, is dealing with the resignations of two top Cabinet ministers - the Brexit SecretaryDavid Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
May thought she had achieved Cabinet agreement for a 'soft' path to leave the European Union - leaving in place some common rules on trade.
But those pushing a 'hard' Brexit, want a clean break from the EU. Is this the beginning of the end for May as Prime Minister or will she emerge a stronger leader?
Here's a collection of tweets, serious and light-hearted on what people have been saying.
More than 80 Tory Brexiter rebel MPs turned up to the European Research Group's meeting tonight. @theresa_may's Chequers plan for Brexit is in serious trouble
For those - many many normal people - - who don’t follow every twist and turn of the last 24 hours in British politics, here in summary is where we are:
Totally unclear whether the UK political classes are one step closer to sanity or one step close to calamity
I'm going to double down on this. May has a fresher Cabinet, she's got rid of Johnson, she has established that the Tory right don't have the balls or numbers to bring her down, and she finally has something to say on Brexit. Best day she's had since the wheat fields.
German politicos are already re-posing the question I am asked more than any other here in Berlin: "will Britain really leave the EU?" Many here still question whether it will happen.
No, Brexiteers trusted a Remain voting Prime Minister who promised to deliver on the Brexit vote. Brexiteers didn’t blow it, Theresa May did. https://t.co/nptgLdnQiH
"It’s all around as grim a predicament as Britain has faced in recent memory—and yet simultaneously also one of the most tedious and technical, holding the interest neither of voters nor of politicians," writes @DavidFrum: https://t.co/DEjesfcTVf
— Our Future, Our Choice (@OFOCBrexit) July 9, 2018
1. Just another day in Westminster then - a new Health Secretary, a New Culture Sec, a new Foreign Sec, a new Brexit Sec, a new Attorney General, and more than 80 tory rebels gathering to plot how to shift the PM's position or else (or what?)
“But, in truth, ever since his appointment it has been a national embarrassment that this blustering buffoon was presented as our face to the planet” https://t.co/R22OLuSnEU
It occurs to me that we may not be viewing Theresa May’s ‘Chequers Brexit’ crisis in quite the right way. And we may, just may, be underestimating her. So here’s a short ruminatory thread, just to see what you all think. 1/6
A busy day discussing the #Chequers deal in all its aspects. I remain unconvinced that this delivers the Brexit our country and my constituents voted for. We need to think again.
This country has been wrecked by the playground rivalry between two lying, self-serving, mediocre old Etonians and held hostage to a handful of swivel-eyed Tory jingoists throwing a tantrum because they lost the empire. Boris Johnson is a dangerous embarrassment. Sack the lot.
ICYMI over the weekend: the EU27's initial assessment of May's new Brexit plan: https://t.co/wbWqiZZK7t
— Alberto Nardelli (@AlbertoNardelli) July 9, 2018
This is what happens when you have men in government who've been raised from birth to believe it's someone else's job to clean up after them. They throw tantrums when they finally make a mess no-one can fix. #Brexit
Johnson's resignation letter is a piece of work. He doesn't say "I" told the British people they could have their cake and eat it. Or "I" made undeliverable pledges; just that the British people "were told" as if it is someone else's fault his promises could not be met. pic.twitter.com/4uZ0I3Myuh
Tragic to see how the UK is lost in the post-referendum chaos. This used to be a nation providing leadership to the world. Now it can’t even provide leadership to itself. https://t.co/Zu3mznY8fP
Boris Johnson's contention that Brexit is dying thanks to "needless self-doubt" is hilarity of the highest order. Instead, Brexit has been hampered mainly by the absence of a credible plan. This was ruthlessly exposed today.
Politicians come and go but the problems they have created for people remain. I can only regret that the idea of #Brexit has not left with Davis and Johnson. But...who knows?
“How could anyone have faith in the Prime Minister getting a good deal with 27 European Union governments when she can’t even broker a deal within her cabinet?”
Jeremy Corbyn says Theresa May’s Brexit plan “took two years to reach and just two days to unravel”. pic.twitter.com/OPAG5Yi5vw
The funny thing about Johnson’s letter is that it indirectly makes the case against Brexit - exposing the impossibilism of its demands https://t.co/PaV9oCsa7f