Jo Johnson quits Theresa May's government over her Brexit plans

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Jo Johnson quits Theresa May's government over her Brexit plans

LONDON - Jo Johnson has resigned as Theresa May's universities minister over her handling of Brexit talks.

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Johnson announced on Friday afternoon that he was quitting the UK government because "what is now being proposed won't be anything like what was promised two years ago."

Johnson supported his brother Boris, who quit the government earlier this week in protest against May's handling of Brexit talks.

"My brother Boris, who led the leave campaign, is as unhappy with the Government's proposals as I am," he said.

"Indeed he recently observed that the proposed arrangements were 'substantially worse than staying in the EU.' On that he is unquestionably right."

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The Conservative MP also said that the prime minister should "go back to the people" on Brexit, suggesting he supports another referendum on leaving the European Union.

"My loyalty to my party is undimmed," he wrote in a statement.

"I have never rebelled on any issue before now. But my duty to my constituents and our great nation has forced me to act. I have today written to the Prime Minister asking her to accept my resignation from the Government. It is now my intention to vote against this Withdrawal Agreement.

"I reject this false choice between the PM's deal and 'no deal' chaos. On this most crucial of questions, I believe it is entirely right to go back to the people and ask them to confirm their decision to leave the EU and, if they choose to do that, to give them the final say on whether we leave with the Prime Minister's deal or without it."

To do anything less will do grave damage to our democracy.

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