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 Secretary David 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?
The issue has set Twitter alight today.
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
— Robert Peston (@Peston) July 9, 2018
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:
— Sam Coates Sky (@SamCoatesSky) July 9, 2018
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.
— Hugo Rifkind (@hugorifkind) July 9, 2018
Boris Johnson has left the foreign secretary's official residence at Carlton Gardens, central London, following his resignation earlier on Monday https://t.co/JEStnN6ohu pic.twitter.com/7fm4Rpp9si
— ITV News (@itvnews) July 9, 2018
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.
— Jeremy Cliffe (@JeremyCliffe) July 9, 2018
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
— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) July 9, 2018
"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
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) July 9, 2018
Tuesday's Telegraph: "'The #Brexit dream is dying'" (via @AllieHBNews) #bbcpapers #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/2B6vzFz3Fx
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) July 9, 2018
Jean-Claude Juncker (head of EU Commission) just trolled the entire UK government!! 😱#BorisJohnson pic.twitter.com/R0RoWyDFq6
— 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?)
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) July 9, 2018
David Cameron (hubris)
— James Melville (@JamesMelville) July 9, 2018
Nigel Farage (propaganda)
David Davis (incompetence)
Boris Johnson (duplicity)
All 4 of them (in different ways) contributed towards the shambles of Brexit. All 4 of them have resigned since the EU referendum.
Shame on them all.
Bravo @BorisJohnson. Now can we please get rid of the appalling @theresa_may and get Brexit back on track.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) July 9, 2018
“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
— Martin Pengelly (@MartinPengelly) July 9, 2018
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
— Stewart Wood (@StewartWood) July 9, 2018
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.
— Simon Clarke MP (@SimonClarkeMP) July 9, 2018
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.
— Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) July 9, 2018
The inimitable @MattCartoonist pic.twitter.com/BrxtyaHShg
— Nick Bryant (@NickBryantNY) July 9, 2018
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
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 9, 2018
"It is impossible for this shambolic, chaotic government to come to one view on this."
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 9, 2018
Labour MP Chuka Umunna says David Davis' resignation shows that a "people's vote" is needed on the final Brexit deal. pic.twitter.com/YJqH2o2B93
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
— Nick Cohen (@NickCohen4) July 9, 2018
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
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) July 9, 2018
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.
— Oliver (@olivernorgrove) July 9, 2018
Boris Johnson: a handy guide to what is and what isn’t a resignation issue. pic.twitter.com/JqSPJwScoX
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) July 9, 2018
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?
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) July 9, 2018
“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?”
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 9, 2018
Jeremy Corbyn says Theresa May’s Brexit plan “took two years to reach and just two days to unravel”. pic.twitter.com/OPAG5Yi5vw
Farage says he is ready to stand again as Ukip leader to fight May’s Brexit plan https://t.co/SrK3YUEhIs pic.twitter.com/CKWWk4S8Nn
— ITV News (@itvnews) July 9, 2018
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
— Jonathan Freedland (@Freedland) July 9, 2018
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