Friday, 19 Apr 2024

BBC Question Time: Brexit Party’s Mark Reckless set for fiery showdown with former party

Mr Reckless defected from the Conservatives last month to join the Brexit Party and give Nigel Farage’s their first political representation at a national level. He and Ukip’s David Rowlands have joined up with independents Mandy Jones and Caroline Jones to form the group in the Welsh Assembly. Mr Reckless will be joined on tonight’s Question Time panel by Conservative MP Theresa Villiers, Labour MP Stephen Kinnock and Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price.

When Mr Reckless defected to the Brexit Party last month, he said: “Brexit is being blocked and the Brexit Party group in the Welsh Assembly from today will be supporting Nigel Farage, supporting the Brexit Party in everything that they are doing to protect our democracy and to ensure that Brexit is delivered.”

The thorny issue of the Irish border, which has held up Brexit for a number of months, could also spark fiery debate, with former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Ms Villers appearing on tonight’s panel.

The Irish backstop negotiated by Theresa May with the European Union in her withdrawal agreement has proved to be extremely divisive throughout Westminster.

The Prime Minister has received a barrage of criticism over this, which has ultimately seen her withdrawal agreement resoundingly rejected by Parliament on three separate occasions.

Mrs May finally succumbed to the intense pressure last month and announced she would be quitting as Prime Minister when a new Conservative Party leader is chosen, expected to be towards the end of next month.

Several of the Tory leadership candidates have vowed to return to Brussels and renegotiate the withdrawal agreement in the hope of making tweets to the Irish backstop proposal.

But Brussels, as well as several EU leaders, have said this won’t happen under any circumstances – even when a new Prime Minister and UK negotiating team is in place.

The race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party means there will likely be no breakthrough in the Brexit crisis over the next six weeks – at least until a new Prime Minister is elected.

Last week, Ms Villiers left Rory Stewart red-faced after his colleague rejected his bd to become the next Prime Minister because of his commitment to see Theresa May’s Brexit withdrawal agreement pass through the Commons.

Appearing with Mr Stewart on Peston on Wednesday, Villiers admitted she had not yet selected a Tory leadership contestant to back but told Mr Stewart to his face she will not support him because of his stance on Brexit.

“There are some great contenders from all wings of the party.

“I’ve had some very good conversations with both Boris and with Dominic Raab and Sajid Javid.

“Rory and I, we haven’t had our little chat but Rory and I probably don’t see eye to eye on Brexit matters.

“Sadly, I don’t think I’m going to be giving you my support, Rory.”

Mr Stewart is one of seven Tory candidates remaining in the leadership contest following another day of high drama in Westminster.

Boris Johnson dominated first ballot and took a commanding lead after being backed by 114 Conservative MPs, and remains a heavy favourite to become the next Prime Minister.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was a distant second with 43 votes, while Environment Secretary Michael Gove was backed by 37 MPs. Mr Stewart finished seventh, receiving 19 votes.

But Andrea Leadsom (11), Mark Harper (10) and Esther McVey (9) were all eliminated from the race after each failing to secure the minimum 17 votes required to qualify from the first ballot.

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