Fail to deliver on Brexit causing collapse of Conservatives – ex Housing Minister resigns

I am sure that not many people will even know who the current housing minister is today (Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP), though it is the reluctance of Prime Minister May to carry out Brexit which is causing descent amongst the ranks. With more shifty underhand dealings than a dodgy poker player from May it would appear, Brexit in name only is not what the doctor ordered as resignation letters start to pour in.

Ex housing minister Dominic Raab resigns via Twitter in protest to the current dealings with Brexit and in respect to those who voted leave.

His letter in full reads:

Dear Prime Minister,

It’s been an honour to serve in your government as Justice Minister, Housing Minister and Brexit Secretary.

I regret to say that following the Cabinet meeting yesterday on the Brexit deal, I must resign. I understand why you have chosen to pursue the deal with the EU on the terms proposed, and I respect the different views held in good faith by all of our colleagues.

For my part, I cannot support the proposed deal for two reasons. First, I believe that the regulatory regime proposed for Northern Ireland presents a very real threat to the integrity of the United Kingdom.

Second, I cannot support an indefinite backstop arrangement, where the EU holds a veto over our ability to exit. The terms of the backstop amount to a hybrid of the EU customs union and single market obligations. No democratic nation has ever signed up to be bound by such an extensive regime, imposed externally without any democratic control over the laws to be applied, nor the ability to decide the exit arrangement. That arrangement is now also taken as the starting point for negotiating the future economic partnership. If we accept that, it will severely prejudice the second phase of negotiations against the UK.

Above all, I cannot reconcile the terms of the proposed deal with the promises we made to the country in our manifesto at the last election. This is, at its heart, a matter of public trust.

I appreciate that you disagree with my judgement on these issues. I have weighed very carefully the alternative course of action which the government could take, on which I have previously advised. Ultimately you deserve a Brexit Secretary who can make the case for the deal you are pursuing with conviction. I am only sorry, in good conscience, that I cannot.

My respect for you and the fortitude you have shown in difficult times remains undimmed.

Yours sincerely

Dominic Raab

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Housing Insight Report: April 2026

Despite wider economic uncertainty and inflation remaining above target, the housing market continues to demonstrate resilience. Within the rental market, demand continues to significantly outstrip available supply. Sales 1. In April 2026, stock levels showed a marginal increase with an overall average of 43 properties for sale at each member branch. 2. The average number…
Read More
Damaged timber from Dry Rot
Breaking News

Stop managing damp. Start managing risk

The next phase of Awaab’s Law isn’t about repairs. The question regulators will ask is whether you can prove what you knew, and when. Housing providers, operators and agents are being warned not to view Awaab’s Law solely through the lens of damp and mould, as new requirements coming into force later this year expand…
Read More
Estate Agents should not all look the same
Estate Agent Talk

Biggest challenges facing agents is generating motivated buyer leads

The latest research by GetAgent has revealed that while seller activity remains relatively resilient across the UK housing market, growing buyer hesitation is weighing on overall market momentum, creating a more challenging environment for estate agents. The survey of UK estate agents, commissioned by GetAgent, examined current market conditions, lead quality, business investment and expectations…
Read More
Breaking News

Against all odds, recovery remains on track

Glenigan’s Summer 2026 Construction Forecast indicates sector resurgence in 2027, despite a painful start to the year Construction sector set to rebound by 13% over the course of the Forecast period (2026-2028) as economic conditions improve Significant value gains expected for offices, industrial, public sector and civils verticals Private and social housebuilding predicted to rally…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Manchester tops decade of property price growth with London bottom

New long-term analysis from the UK’s largest property platform Rightmove reveals that Manchester is the fastest growing city for prices over the last 10 years, while London is the slowest The average asking price for a home in Manchester is up by 63% compared with 10 years ago, by contrast prices in London are only…
Read More
Breaking News

Second home hot-spots hit hardest by property slump

New analysis finds second home hot-spots, as well as London, lagged well behind national average growth Rathbones warns of relying on property to fund retirement, with research showing that equity portfolios outperformed housing by six times Housing in areas with high proportions of second homes lost more value in real terms in 2025 than the…
Read More