Brexit Secretary David Davis resigns
London, July 9 : David Davis, the man responsible for overseeing the UK's exit from the European Union (EU) has resigned, citing irreconcilable differences with Prime Minister Theresa May.
In a resignation letter sent to May late Sunday night, Brexit Minister Davis said it was looking "less and less likely" that the Conservative-led government would be able to deliver on its "manifesto commitment to leave the Customs Union and the Single Market", reports CNN.
Davis said he was "unpersuaded that our negotiating approach will not just lead to further demands for concessions", and said the national interest required someone in his position to be an "enthusiastic believer in your approach, and not merely a reluctant conscript".
"The general direction of policy will leave us in at best a weak negotiating position, and possibly an inescapable one," the minister wrote in the letter.
In her response, May said she was sorry he had chosen to leave the government "when we have already made so much progress towards delivering a smooth and successful Brexit".
On Friday, "we as the Cabinet agreed a comprehensive and detailed proposal which provides a precise, responsible, and credible basis for progressing our negotiations towards a new relationship between the UK and the EU after we leave in March".
May's government on Friday agreed on a "business friendly" plan for Brexit which was announced at the end of a crucial summit. It seeks to preserve frictionless goods trade for the EU and avoid border checks and tariffs, most feared by manufacturing companies.
May in the summit, said she would soon present the proposal to the EU, CNN reported.
The June 2016 vote to leave the EU effectively ended a relationship which had endured for 44 years.
Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty outlines the voluntary departure, which will take effect in March 2019.
Davis' resignation also comes as May is preparing for a key state visit by US President Donald Trump later this week and faces a potential new international crisis after a British citizen died on Sunday as a result of being exposed to Novichok, the same nerve agent used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn said that Davis' resignation "at such a crucial time" shows that May "has no authority left and is incapable of delivering Brexit".
"David Davis resigning at such a crucial time shows @Theresa_May has no authority left and is incapable of delivering Brexit," the Labour Party leader tweeted early Monday morning.
"With her government in chaos, if she clings on, it's clear she's more interested in hanging on for her own sake than serving the people of our country."
One of many Eurosceptics in May's Cabinet, Davis was a high profile supporter of the Leave campaign during the Brexit referendum, putting him at odds with the Prime Minister, who supported remaining within the EU.
In a September 2017 op-ed for CNN, Davis wrote: "Brexit is not about Britain stepping back from the world, but jumping into the new opportunities it presents."
"Outside of the EU, Britain will be nimbler, more open to innovation and technological change... Using our might as the world's fifth largest economy -- we can become a true champion of free trade."
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Beauty of democracy: Tharoor congratulates BJP on civic body poll win in his constituency
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".
In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.
"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.
He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation - a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."
Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.
"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.
"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.
The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.
The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.
Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.
The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.
Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.
In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.
