Advertisement

Theresa May has ‘asked for David Cameron’s advice on getting her Brexit vote through parliament’

David Cameron’s advice has reportedly been sought over Brexit (Picture: PA)
David Cameron’s advice has reportedly been sought over Brexit (Picture: PA)

Theresa May has turned to David Cameron for advice on getting her Brexit deal through parliament, it has been reported.

ITV journalist Robert Peston said a source had told him that the prime minister’s team are consulting her predecessor on what to do about getting her EU withdrawal deal past the Commons.

Last Monday, Mrs May had to pull her “meaningful vote” when faced with the probability it would get voted down by MPs.

And now, according to Mr Peston, her team has turned to Mr Cameron for advice.

“If you want a symbol of the catastrophe Theresa May faces over Brexit here it is: her predecessor David Cameron is advising her how to get some kind route out of the EU – that isn’t the fast one over the cliff – through parliament,” wrote Mr Peston.

“This is like the pope asking the chief rabbi on the true meaning of the Eucharist: when Theresa May became prime minister she defined herself by defenestrating all things and people of a Cameronish hue.

MORE: Driver slaps note on ambulance for making him late as paramedics battled to save a life
MORE: Festive farmer spreads Christmas cheer with tractor made of 11,000 fairy lights

“But now the former prime minister has become her personal Brexit-crisis adviser, as she desperately tries to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU with a chaotic no deal.”

Mr Peston added: “Mr Cameron’s advice is conspicuously being taken, at this juncture by her ministers if not publicly by her.

“Because what he told her – I understand – is that she should ‘get on with getting parliament to work through the options’.”

Mr Cameron helped Theresa May campaign for a by-election in October 2016 (Picture: PA)
Mr Cameron helped Theresa May campaign for a by-election in October 2016 (Picture: PA)

Mr Peston claimed Mr Cameron has said the prime minister “has to help parliament find an answer, recognising that she doesn’t have a majority”.

Last Monday, with the Commons in chaos after Mrs May cancelled her vote, Mr Cameron said he had no regrets about calling the 2016 Brexit referendum.

He said: “I made a promise in the election to call a referendum and I called the referendum.

“Obviously I’m very concerned about what’s happening today but I do support the prime minister in her efforts to try and have a close partnership with the European Union.

“That’s the right thing to do and she has my support.”