There is a lot of speculation that Home Secretary Suella Braverman may be among several ministers who could resign if Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal fails to restore sovereignty to Northern Ireland.
Tory MPs are concerned that Downing Street may use Braverman’s reselection issues to prevent her from rebelling against the deal.
Her Fareham seat in Hampshire is disappearing in the boundary review, and she is in a run-off with backbencher Flick Drummond for the new Fareham and Waterlooville constituency.
However, some MPs have been surprised that Downing Street has not intervened to help Braverman.
Braverman’s support was crucial for Rishi Sunak in October to see off a potential challenge from Boris Johnson to become Prime Minister after Liz Truss’s government collapsed within 49 days.
As speculation among Tory MPs about the deal with the EU grows, concerns have been raised about Braverman’s situation.
Some MPs fear that Downing Street may try to use her reselection issues to prevent her from rebelling against the Brexit deal.
However, a senior member of the European Research Group of Tory Brexiteers believes that Downing Street would be foolish to try such a tactic.
Nonetheless, there is a feeling of desperation among some MPs about the Government’s tactics, and some believe that too many ministers are surrendering their principles for their jobs.
The ultimate decision on Braverman’s reselection will come down to the members, and several MPs have already faced deselection due to members pushing them out.
