May will meet opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn later on Wednesday to thrash out a Brexit compromise, a gamble that could finally see a European Union divorce deal agreed but also tear her party apart.
After her EU withdrawal deal was rejected three times by lawmakers, with parliament and her Conservative Party hopelessly divided over Brexit, May said on Tuesday (April 2) she would reach out to Corbyn in a bid to break the impasse.
Brexit-backing International Development Minister Penny Mourdant said May has made clear she does not want to leave the EU without a deal, and her deal is the only way forward. Trade Minister Liam Fox did not respond to reporters asking for his response.
By approaching Corbyn, a veteran socialist deeply disliked by many Conservatives and mocked by May herself as unfit to govern, she risks enflaming Conservative divisions. One minister quit on Wednesday.
“It now seems that you and your cabinet have decided that a deal – cooked up with a Marxist who has never once in his political life, put British interests first – is better than no deal,” Nigel Adams said as he resigned as a minister for Wales.
May sent a signed letter to all her Conservative lawmakers explaining her decision, saying it is the only way they can ensure a the smooth, orderly Brexit that they promised to the British people.