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First Move with Julia Chatterley
British Prime Minister Announces Her Resignation. Aired: 9-10a ET
Aired May 24, 2019 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.
ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, it's two o'clock here in London. I am Isa Soares, far outside the Houses of
Parliament, which is rather loud today because we have a student protest here they are trying to raise awareness to climate change. So I hope you
can hear me. I'll try to make it loud. But this is a sight that we've seen today, the seismic shift, well underway.
Theresa May, the leader who refused to give up, who tried and tried and tried again to make her Brexit plan a reality, but today, Theresa May at
last conceded defeat. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THERESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: It is now clear to me. That it is in the best interest of the country for a new Prime Minister to lead that
effort. So I am today announcing that I will resign as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party on Friday, the seventh of June.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Now, the British Prime Minister decision was a long time coming. Rivals from both sides of the aisle had been paying really for her blood.
Time and again, she stood firm in the face of relentless criticism.
It's only really at the very end that her emotions showed through.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAY: I will shortly leave the job that it has been the honor of my life to hold. The second female Prime Minister, but certainly not the last. I do
so with no ill will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude, to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Very emotional Theresa May there. We could hear her it in her voice. Phil Black is at 10 Downing Street for us and Phil, although we
were expecting it, we have been expecting it for sometime, it was nevertheless, highly emotional, Theresa May, something we rarely see from
the Prime Minister.
PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I was here when she made that speech, Isa, and it was incredibly emotional to hear her breaking down
at the end like that it was a really powerful swell of emotion.
It wasn't just the emotion that she was feeling, but it was clearly her ability to control it. That she was losing in that moment. It all simply
became too much. And it is still very emotional to hear it again now on tape.
The speech itself, though, well, it was the speech of a Prime Minister who was trying to say, "I did my best. I really tried to do my best even
though ultimately, I failed." It was the speech of a Brexit Prime Minister who ultimately failed to deliver Brexit.
It was not a surprise, in coming, Theresa May really had reached the end of her road. She'd run out of options. There was simply no reason to believe
that she could persevere even though as she said here today, she believed in perseverance in the national interest, even when it appeared that the
chances of success were very low.
And so now the country is in something of a state of flux. Theresa May will remain Prime Minister in name as her Conservative Party goes through
what is likely to be a hotly contested internal election process that will ultimately see a new Prime Minister selected by Conservative Party members
somewhere towards the end of July -- Isa.
SOARES: And Phil, talk us through that process because although Theresa May is stepping down on June 7th, the leadership contest has in fact
started. How does it then go -- how does the vote procedure take place? Just talk us through that.
BLACK: So Theresa May will stay leader of her party until the seventh of June. She says, after that shortly after that, there will be a deadline on
candidates putting themselves forward for the party leadership. There will then be a series of votes by Conservative Members of Parliament, which will
slash back that running field of candidates to just the final two.
In each vote, the person with the fewest votes will get knocked out, two people will be left standing. Those final two will then embark on
something like a nationwide campaign among Conservative Party grassroots members.
Although, the Conservative Party today said it is deeply conscious of the fact that this contest is not just about selecting the new conservative
leader, it is about selecting the next Prime Minister for all of Britain. And so therefore, they intend to design that final campaign section, if you
like between the final two candidates in such a way that they will also interact, would meet, would face questions from people who have not been or
who are not automatically considered party voters -- Isa.
SOARES: Yes, and of course and then whoever takes the job at 10 Downing Street, the next Prime Minister will have same problems of course, on
trying to deliver Brexit and as well as trying to have some relationships, trying to deal with Europe. Phil Black there outside 10 Downing Street.
Thanks very much.
[09:05:19] SOARES: And if you're just joining us, the loud crowds you're hearing behind me, they're not protesting Theresa May or anything to do
with Brexit. In fact, they are young students raising awareness of climate change. So here's why we're hearing such a loud choir before me. Very
euphoric, I should say.
Now former British Foreign Minister, and now frontrunner to be Mrs. May's successor, Boris Johnson tweeted his reaction. This, if we can bring it up
so you see what he said. He said, "A very dignified statement from Theresa May. Thank you for your stoical service to our country and the
Conservative Party. It is now time to follow her urgings to come together and deliver Brexit."
For more now on Mrs. May's departure, I'm joined now by political analyst, Carole Walker. Carole, I just wanted your take on -- and apologies. It's
very loud here. So hopefully you can hear -- on what heard from Boris Johnson, "Now is the time to unite the party." Can he do it?
CAROLE WALKER, POLITICAL ANALYST: It's going to be difficult. It's not so long ago that several Conservative MPs said that they would not be able to
remain in a party that was led by Boris Johnson. They seem to be rowing back from that a little bit now, and saying that they hope that he will
reach out, that he will try and getting the party together.
I think that if Boris Johnson can convince fellow Conservative MPs that he is the one to unite the party that will be a very powerful weapon indeed
for him as he seeks to try to win this leadership contest.
Look, Boris Johnson is a divisive figure. He is accident prone. He has made a lot of mistakes as Foreign Secretary. There were a whole series of
difficulties when he put his foot in it. But he is ultimately a hugely successful campaigner.
He won as Mayor of London, here in this city, which is --
SOARES: Right here in London.
WALKER: And London is overwhelmingly a remain-supporting, a Labour-backing city traditionally, yet he managed to win as Mayor of London on a
Conservative ticket twice over.
And of course, he was a key figure in swinging the European Union referendum back in 2016. It was his decision to go out there, campaign for
Brexit - that was a hugely significant factor in persuading people to vote to leave the E.U.
So I think at a time when the Conservative Party really is on its knees, an awful lot of conservative MPs are thinking, "Well, maybe we need a big
hitter, a big campaigner like Boris."
SOARES: You think -- would he do far better than Dominic Raab when it comes to the uniting the party?
WALKER: I think that what we are seeing so far as that Dominic Raab has already talked about cutting taxes, making it clear that he's going very
much for the traditional right-wing vote.
I think Boris is somebody who is socially quite liberal. I think he will try to talk that up. And I think that he will undoubtedly try to get both
wings of the party on board. But he has to get himself through to the final two contenders.
There will be a whole series of rounds of Conservative MPs voting here. In each round, the lowest ranked contender drops out. I think if Boris
Johnson can get through to the final two, then it is a question of going around the country, appealing Conservative Party activists.
I've seen Boris Johnson talking to those Conservative Party members around the country. He will have the mazing out of his hand, and I think if you
can get through to that --
SOARES: He has a very strong public --
WALKER: He is a campaigner. He has got a positive message. Many people have said that, "I'm just so tired of Theresa May," while the negative
defensive attitude to this, he will come out with a big very positive message about the potential benefits of Brexit. And I think to a party
that is -- just needs something to cheer them up. That in itself will be quite a significant factor.
SOARES: And as Carole and I talk here, you can hear the crowd behind us. They are raising awareness of climate change. Very lively crowd. Police
trying to quiet them down.
But of course, we'll continue our conversation with Carole. Carole, on the question of Europe, whoever takes -- whoever is next Prime Minister here --
Dominic Raab. If it's a Brexit here, let's just assume it's a Brexiteer. How would that really relate to change, do you think?
WALKER: Let me just say quickly on that final point. There is a bit of a danger here that you have too many candidates from the pro-Brexiteer wing
of the party.
I've just seen a tweet from one senior Brexiteer warning of the danger of a firing circle and each side knocking the other out and perhaps compromise
candidates coming through.
[09:10:11] SOARES: Right.
WALKER: And this leadership contests are notoriously unpredictable. The front runner has not won in any of the previous Conservative Party contests
that I can remember over the past few decades.
SOARES: Very different. This is very different.
WALKER: It is very different. Boris Johnson is definitely out there with a significantly -- but these things are not a foregone conclusion. But
yes, I think that whoever does take over will set out their determination to try to go back and renegotiate the deal which Theresa May tried to do.
Of course, there will be a new leadership team in Brussels as well, where parts of Europe are still voting in those E.U. Parliamentary Elections.
They will help to shape the Commission that will be in place in the coming months.
Now E.U. leaders have said time and again, we are not going to un-pick the withdrawal agreement. I think if they stick to that, then a leader like
Boris Johnson, a leader like Dominic Raab would have to be prepared to say, "Well, in that case, we will leave without a deal, and we will try to
manage that process to put together key elements that are important about respecting the E.U. citizens' rights in the U.K. and so on.
But to try to make sure that contingency plans are in place to mitigate the effects of a no-deal Brexit. But I think that if you talk to anybody who
has ever been involved in trade negotiations, once Theresa May had accepted that she wasn't actually going to move away from the talks so once the E.U.
realized that, she had very little negotiating power left and I think whoever does take over those negotiations are going to make sure that a no-
deal Brexit is at least on the table.
SOARES: Yes, and we know how Europe feels about that. And of course we know the relationship that Europe had, Juncker had with Theresa May, plenty
of respect between both and I'm sure they'll be worried if it is a Brexiteer. I know it's a very open field at the moment. Carole, thank you
very much.
Well, Theresa May is to resume is leaving 10 Downing Street with the Brexit uncertainty for U.K. business as well, that remains.
The British Chamber of Commerce says it fears for the future. We will be speaking to the Director General of the BCC next, right here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:15:31] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.
SOARES: Welcome back. We are live outside the Houses of Parliament and Britain is asking who will be its next Prime Minister following Theresa
May's decision to resign.
Mrs. May will step down on June 7th. She announced there at 10:00 a.m. this morning after a job she says has been the honor of her life.
Now at the heart of her resignation is of course, Brexit and her failure in fact to get Parliament to back her deal after three attempts. Take a
listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAY: It is and will always remain a matter of deep regrets to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Now, reactions are coming in from the business world. I'm joined now by Adam Marshall. He is Director General of the British Chambers of
Commerce. And of course, Adam, thank you very much coming in.
As you and I are talking, we've got a crowd here. They're clearly making the most of Theresa May's resignation. The media crew to get their
attention about climate change. But let's focus on what we have today from Theresa May.
She is resigning, stepping down on June 7th. In fact, there is a leadership contest. What does that mean for the business world? Because
I'm guessing yet more uncertainty for you.
ADAM MARSHALL, DIRECTOR GENERAL, BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE: Indeed, I mean, businesses have already faced three years of uncertainty around
Brexit. They feel like we've been going around in circles here at Westminster for some time now.
And I think the fear that we're getting today is we could now spend another six to eight weeks in a photo holding pattern.
SOARES: If not longer.
MARSHALL: Indeed, and businesses really do want to see some sort of conclusion to this process. We need to break the impasse at some point in
time and deal with the huge number of practical questions companies out there are asking about future trade.
SOARES: Okay, what is the -- what has this impasse for these last three years, what has that done? How has that changed businesses and businesses'
approach to everything from investment to hiring? Give me a sense of how this indecision is impacting business up and down this country.
MARSHALL: We only have to look at the evidence and the numbers to see that business investment has really, really weakened over the past year, in
particular.
We're seeing companies postponing, and in many cases, canceling unplanned investments here, trying to wait until the point in time when they can get
some more clarity on what the future is going to look like. And whether they can see a payback for that.
Many businesses are putting off recruitment, they're moving people around. And of course, they're moving stuff around, too, if they're worried that in
the future crossing the border is going to become more difficult.
All of this is displacement activity for lots of businesses. They're not growing where they want to right here in the U.K., in this fantastic
country. They're actually just trying to run in order to stand still.
SOARES: And of course, while we talk about Brexit, what they tried to solve Brexit, there's so much other work that is not being done behind the
scenes. Let's talk about then, who would -- what would be the worst case scenario for their businesses in terms of leadership? Someone who is a
hard Brexiteer with business support? Or someone who is more remainer?
MARSHALL: Well, we always play the issues rather than the person. It's the ball rather than the person. So if we focus in on what businesses
really care about, it's really two things.
One is a resolution to the Brexit crisis. We need to see detail at ground level granularity at ground level about the future and what it's going to
look like for them.
The other is the domestic agenda here in the U.K. Businesses are really struggling to get the people that they need at the moment in order to fill
vacancies that they've got. The infrastructure here is buckling at the seams.
And of course, in this technological age, a lot of companies can't get the mobile or broadband access they need. These everyday issues have got to
come back if businesses are going to succeed.
So whoever comes in is going to have to address both of those things.
SOARES: Okay, regardless whether it's a Brexiteer or a remainer, it's clear that a disorderly Brexit will hurt many people, will hurt businesses.
MARSHALL: We've long been on record saying we don't want to see a messy and disorderly Brexit. The vast majority of firms out there do want to see
a negotiated solution.
SOARES: Do you think this is more likely now?
MARSHALL: Well, I think the concern is very high. A lot of businesses are looking out towards the 31st of October and see a ticking clock ahead of
them.
And I'm thinking once again, do I have to dust down my contingency plans? Do I need to now prepare for a harder departure? That is a big concern for
a lot of firms. We do want to see whoever comes in try to address that big date.
SOARES: Give me a sense of some of the calls that you've been getting from businesses in the last 24 hours? In the last few hours, in fact,
preferably from news of Theresa May stepping down? When you pick up the phone, when you speak to businesses, what are they tell you? Are they
relieved that this process is over, that perhaps we'll get clarity?
[09:20:10] MARSHALL: Well, I think businesses would say it's not the politicians themselves that they worry about, it is the outcomes that
really concerns them.
SOARES: Yes, but does this get them clearer to outcomes is my point.
MARSHALL: Well, I think after many false dawns over the years, after many moments when they thought something definitive is about to change in this
process, businesses are holding back and waiting to see what happens.
For many of them, of course, they wish the Prime Minister well. They thank her for her years of service, but it's not about the individual who is at
the top for them. It's about that outcome, about that results so they can get back to doing business again.
SOARES: Adam Marshall, thank you very much. Good to see you. Thanks for coming in.
Now, it has been a rather volatile day for selling as you can imagine as traders ponder the uncertainty in the Brexit landscape while Adam and I was
talking.
Well, after an earlier bounce, the pound is now trading flat. If we can bring that up, at about $1.26. The pound -- yes, there, $1.26, pretty
flat. The pound has fallen 3 percent in fact this month on U.K. leadership uncertainty.
As a whole, on a record 14 -- one four -- 14 straight sessions against the Euro. U.K. stocks though, let's have a look how they've remained solidly
higher right now, if we can bring those numbers up.
FTSE currently are if we can bring it up one percent, really the news of profitability -- on the news of profitability in U.K. firms.
Now British Labour opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking out over a few minutes ago, Theresa May is right to step down. He says that he is calling
for a general election to find her successor. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEREMY CORBYN, BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, LABOUR PARTY: She clearly cannot command a majority in Parliament. She clearly has lost the
confidence to her own MPs and in all the discussions she's been having with her MPs, they've all said one thing to her that they don't support her
strategy.
The reality is, a new Conservative leader isn't going to solve the problems. There has to be another opportunity for people of this country
to decide who they want to be in a government, how they want the government to be run. What the long-term strategy is of that government. I think we
need a general election.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: That's Jeremy Corbyn's thinking there. Now, former House of Commons Leader and longtime rival to Theresa May, Andrea Leadsom reacted to
the Prime Minister's speech in a tweet. This is what she said, "A very dignified speech by Theresa May. An illustration of her total commitment
to country and duty. She did her utmost, and I wish her all the very best."
Of course, Andrea Leadsom resigned about 24 hours or so ago.
Well, the Democratic Unionist Party leader, Arlene Foster also issued this statement thanking Mrs. May for quote, "Her dutiful approach on national
issues and her willingness to recognize Northern Ireland's need for additional resources through confidence and supply arrangements. I pay
tribute," she tweets, "To her selfless service in the interest of the United Kingdom and wish her well for the future."
For more under way ahead in the party, I'm now joined by Conservative MP, Robert Halfon. Robert, thank you very much for joining us here. Before we
talk about the future, let's take a step back and get your sense of what Theresa May's legacy and what you heard today.
She is very emotional. I think many people expected her to resign. We almost saw that coming, it was almost inevitable. But she was clearly
moved by her -- you know, her sense of duty was clearly felt there.
ROBERT HALFON, BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, CONSERVATIVE PARTY: Well, I watched it and my mouth went try. I felt incredibly sad. She is somebody
who could stand ground because she got the cost of living for millions of our fellow countrymen and women, custom taxes for lower pay, increased
international living wage. She protected the NHS by giving 20 billion extra to our health services. She delivered increasing millions of jobs
and apprenticeships for our young people.
SOARES: But many will say whilst that is the case, she had one job in the eyes of many, and that job was to deliver Brexit and she didn't. Will that
you think would be her lasting legacy?
HALFON: That was a very, very difficult thing to do because Parliament doesn't have a majority since 2017 election.
SOARES: Was that her doing though?
HALFON: Well, she herself said that she was responsible for the 2017 election and that's the beginning of all our problems.
Not having the majority has made Brexit very difficult, but I genuinely believe that with a new leadership candidate, with a new leader, they will
have a mandate from the Parliamentary Party, they will have a mandate from over 120,000 Conservative Party members. They will be able to go back to
Brussels and they will be able to renegotiate because the European Union know that as things stand, Parliament won't accept the deal.
SOARES: You're saying they'll be able to negotiate. Europe has already said that it's not written -- it's not up for -- nothing is up for
renegotiation. So who do you think can actually do that? What leader? Who will you back here?
HALFON: Well, one or two people in Europe have set those things, and of course they are going to say these things. This is all part of the
negotiation.
I'll be backing Sajid Javid, because I think he embodies the Conservative dream of aspirational merit, he comes from a very modest background. His
father was an immigrant and a bus came here -- and he was a bus driver.
[09:25:10] HALFON: He is someone I think who can unify our party. He has got the architects to vote-lead, Matthew Elliott running his campaign. He
is somebody I think who will unite the country.
He is of Heineken candidate. He can reach parts of the country -- that's an old beer advert for your viewers. He can reach parts of the country
that other candidates can't reach. I'm talking about the whole of the United Kingdom, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
SOARES: Theresa May talks about, she quote, "Compromise is not a dirty word," today, she said. Do you think that be it Sajid Javit or anyone else
within the Conservative Party or Dominic Raab or Boris Johnson? Do you think they will compromise?
HALFON: Well, it is interesting. The Prime Minister quoted Nicholas Winton and on my wall, I have another quote from Nicholas Winton, one of
the greatest men of our country, and he said, "If it's not impossible, there must be a way to do it." And I genuinely believe that it is possible
to renegotiate a new mandate, and whoever is leader, whether it is Sajid, my preferred candidate or someone else, they will be able to go to Brussels
and renegotiate.
SOARES: How is Sajid Javid -- how would he differentiate himself from the other candidates do you think? What will he be saying differently to try
and get the vote of the Conservative Party?
HALFON: Well, I think Sajid will set out a Brexit that delivers the referendum result, but also unifies the Conservative Party. He will
probably say more about that when he formally announces to start.
But I also believe and is the main reason why I'm backing him is that he is a social justice conservative, he will put social justice first and
foremost at the heart of the Conservative Party mission, carrying on what the Prime Minister said on the steps of Downing Street addressing burning
injustices in our country.
He will look after the people who are struggling. The reason for that is because he knows what it's like to struggle. His family knows what it's
like struggle and he grew up depending on public services.
SOARES: What he'll have to do first is try, like you said, he will try to unite the party and then deal with Europe, because that is the crucial
first because the party is still divided, so is the Houses of Parliament. Incredible. Robert, thank you very much. Thank you for coming in.
I just want to apologize if you're just joining us, if you have struggled to hear what we were both saying. There is a very lively protest behind me
trying to raise awareness to climate change, making the most of the fact that we've got a media presence here on this incredibly moving day for
Theresa May, but we apologize of course if you've heard any foul language.
I haven't been able to because I can't make out what they are saying -- make out what they are saying, but apologies in advance.
Now, still ahead, tears and tributes. Theresa May's almost three-year tenure as U.K. Prime Minister is ending. We will take a look back at her
turbulent time in office. That's coming up next right here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:30:54] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.
SOARES: Welcome back from a very noisy outside Houses of Parliament here and a reminder, if you're just joining us, our top story, we are nearing
the end of May in more ways than one.
After months of speculation, defeats and Parliament as well as challenges to her leadership, the British Prime Minister, she is standing down on June
7th. It's not yet know who will replace Mrs. May in the days afterwards.
Many rumored contenders are instead paying tribute to her leadership. Phil black is outside 10 Downing Street. Phil, give me a sense of what you're
hearing from those within her own party into the tribute.
But also give me -- you were there when Theresa May spoke this morning at 10 o'clock. What was the mood like? What do you think her legacy will be?
BLACK: From Theresa May's opponents, from her allies and people who have been really very critical and have gone out of their way to make her life
difficult these last three years, there has been essentially a broad expression of respect, at least when it comes to her pretty much always
dignified behavior and the knowledge that she always put duty first, her sense of service.
These are the things that certainly have come out in responses from, as I say members of our own party, political opponents as well. Although the
opposition parties, it should be noted are saying, this is also now time for an election, a time to go back to the people. That's what we've heard
from the Labour Party, from the Scottish Nationalist Party as well.
In terms of her legacy, well, there are two very clear measures of Theresa May's Premiership. One is tackling the burning in justices in British
society, the other is delivering Brexit. These are clear measures because she set them herself.
She spoke about them here in Downing Street on the first day as she became Prime Minister. She said that these are the things she wanted to achieve.
Today, speaking here again, almost three years later, she was essentially forced to admit that she had failed on both points. Let's take a look back
now at what can only be described as a very difficult Premiership.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MAY: So I am today announcing that I will resign as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party on Friday, the 7th of June, so that a
successor can be chosen.
BLACK (voice over): A moment so often predicted had finally come. Theresa May acknowledged that she must step down.
It marks the end of a Prime Minister notable for defiantly holding on to power, notorious for embracing short, repetitive slogans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAY: The strong and stable leadership.
Strong and stable leadership.
Strong and stable leadership and the strong and stable government.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK (voice over): And both mocked and grudgingly admired for displaying a baffling willingness to dance terribly in public.
The self-styled Dancing Queen of British politics is leaving the stage.
Theresa May rose to become Prime Minister after her predecessor, David Cameron found himself on the wrong side of Brexit referendum result.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID CAMERON, FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK (voice over): May, too, had wanted Britain to remain in the European Union, but promised to deliver the people's verdict.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAY: Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK (voice over): But what followed were stumbles and mistakes, none bigger than May's decision to call an unnecessary election in 2017. The
result was disastrous.
May lost her Party's parliamentary majority. Suddenly everything, especially Brexit became much harder.
The Conservative Party kept her as leader because there was no obvious alternative and a contrite May was determined to carry on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAY: I hold my hands up for that. I take responsibility. I lead the campaign, and I am sorry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK (voice over): But it was during that same speech that things began to fall apart -- literally. After being interrupted by a protester and
struggling through a coughing fit. The letters behind her started to drop off one by one.
[09:25:07] BLACK (voice over): At the time, many saw it as a powerful metaphor for her struggling leadership.
May clung on by promising all sides she could deliver a Brexit that would somehow keep everyone happy. But her tactical contradictions were exposed
at a crunch Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's country residence, Chequers.
There she tried muscling senior ministers into backing her preferred Brexit plan that two of her government's most prominent hardline Brexiteers
announced they couldn't stomach it, and resigned.
Among them was Boris Johnson who quit as Foreign Secretary embracing a new role as the Prime Minister's chief critic on all things Brexit.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, CONSERVATIVE PARTY: ... self-governing Britain that is genuinely open to the world, not the
miserable permanent limbo of Chequers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK (voice over): May also had to deal with difficult Brexit advice from America's President, who even backed Johnson as a potential successor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Boris Johnson, I think would be a great Prime Minister.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK (voice over): Still May persisting as key deadlines in the Brexit negotiations loomed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAY: Ninety five percent of the withdrawal agreement, as I said has been agreed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK (voice over): But the stickiest issue in the divorce settlement never changed, guaranteeing the Irish border stays open, while also
ensuring the U.K. sovereignty over its own territory.
Ultimately, May's attempts to solve this and other Brexit puzzles failed to earn necessary support in order to pass an agreement with the E.U.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CORBYN: After two big rejections by the House, she must have noticed there isn't much support for the deal that she negotiated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK (voice over): Brexit has forced out two Conservative Prime Ministers, someone else must now trying to steer the country through the
most important and divisive political challenge in recent British history.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAY: I will shortly leave the job that has been the honor of my life to hold. The second female Prime Minister, but certainly not the last. I do
so with no ill will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude, to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLACK: Isa, that was an incredibly powerful moment here in Downing Street earlier today, as Theresa May wound up that speech. There was just simply
so much raw emotion there. It was the response of a person coming to terms with the fact that after all the stumbles and mistakes regardless of her
sense of perseverance, her incredible resilience, none of it was enough to deliver on the very high standards of duty and service she had set for
herself when she first became Prime Minister -- Isa.
SOARES: Yes, many of course will say she played -- she was given a bad hand and she played it badly isn't it? And that's always been the
challenge for Theresa May. Phil Black outside 10 Downing Street. Thanks very much, Phil. Good to see you.
Well, and joining me now is Joey Jones, the former spokesman for Theresa May and former deputy political editor at Sky News. Joey, thank you very
much. Let's start off. I mean, we just heard from Phil Black outside 10 Downing Street who have us a sense of, you know high time -- the Prime
Minister's time in office, how would you characterize her time in office?
It definitely -- it was definitely challenging. But what do you think Theresa May will walk away feeling like today?
JOEY JONES, FORMER SPOKESMAN FOR THERESA MAY: I imagine she'll feel pretty -- which there might be a little bit of a sense of liberation of relief, I
would imagine.
But broadly speaking, it will be pretty crushing for her that she has not managed to match up to the high ideals, the aspirations the truth that she
set herself when she went into Downing Street.
Her period in office basically divided into two around the general election that she called herself. In the first period, she was trying to bludgeon
the European Union into submission, saying, "Here on the red lines. This is not negotiable. No Prime Minister could countenance this." That or the
other.
And that was not as easy as she might have liked it to be. So she called a general election, and it just went totally awry. And it's at that point,
actually, that she started talking about compromise, not before, it was only when it was really forced upon her by the numbers.
She had to reach out and try to become a deal maker. And from that point onwards, she was always playing catch up. She was never ahead of the game.
She was always behind looking to other people to try to satisfy a whole panoply of groups and interest groups and factions within her own party and
others who were to profoundly divided, too entrenched in their positions by that time to be willing to listen to others.
SOARES: Was that probably the crux of the problem? Because she clearly wants to deliver Brexi. We heard that time and time again. But she was
trying to appease these two sides. Was that the mistake all along?
JONES: Well, it was that combined with the idea of just tightening the thumbscrews as one went down towards the cliff edge. The idea was that,
faced with the prospect of not coming out of the European Union, another referendum or whatever else.
[09:40:13] JONES: Those people within her party who wanted Brexit would end up coming around to her side, and quite a lot of them did. Well, it
wasn't that close, with over 50 folks in end, sure, and then the cliff edge moved.
And so once the cliff edge becomes movable, then that whole tactic on which he was depending has no power.
SOARES: What will be high legacy, do you think? Did you think that not delivering Brexit, do you think not achieving it? Will that be Brexit? Or
do you think whoever takes over might actually make it -- find it just as hard, and in fact, the legacy might not be as bad after all?
JONES: Well, I mean, it's been a disastrous period for the country. And so her legacy can hardly be viewed as positive. I think she may look with
distance, sort of rather beleaguered a figure buffeted by currents of history that maybe anybody else would have struggled to control as well.
And there is a possibility that she might find some consolation in six months or a year's time by watching who knows, Boris Johnson or someone
like that who has been a thorn in her side, finding everything just as difficult and be able to say, "Well, I told you so. I didn't say that this
wasn't straightforward." But that's far from what she had hoped for.
SOARES: And you know her, you know what she's like. Today, we saw very teary-eyed Theresa May. Her voice was very shaky. Very clearly very
emotional. Is it something that perhaps we should have seen earlier on? It was something that everyone was very much calling out for, wasn't it?
This side to her, this more personal side to her, a human side to her?
JONES: I think, actually, that that has always been quite clear to people. I think one of the things why she felt quite refreshing when she came in as
Prime Minister was because she was obviously elitist and quite a lot of social and public situations, not like David Cameron, who was totally
comfortable wherever you got.
She was vulnerable. She didn't like doing media interviews. There was quite a warm to it. There was a human side to her, so I believe, quality
to it.
So the fact that her emotions were close to the surface today should not really have come as a great surprise. We have seen it in a number of
speeches where her voice has given out completely.
SOARES: Yes, hoarse.
JONES: She was physically incapable of -- well, she managed just about to dredge it out to the last. So the emotion has always been reasonably close
to the surface for a long time. That combined with a position and political power, could have really been a very potent cocktail. That once
you take the political power away, then the fragility if you like, just looks like weakness, which is not what people want in a Prime Minister.
SOARES: If you're just joining us, breaking news in the last few seconds, a PA is quoting that Graham Brady, the Chair of the 1922 Committee stepping
down. I'm guessing he would step down, Joey, to throw his hat in the ring?
JONES: Apparently, my understanding is that he is going to take soundings among Conservative colleagues and in order to hear that, he will --
SOARES: Surely, he should have heard soundings --
JONES: I think he feels the soundings are good enough, obviously.
SOARES: Absolutely.
JONES: Look, I would be tempted to say that he hasn't got the faintest chance and we're going to get a bunch of people going for this that really
aren't going to get close.
But you know what? I was thinking to myself, the last time I was on air and I said that about a candidate for leadership, it was the Labour contest
in Jeremy Corbyn. So that should teach us all to be cautious about writing people off even when I'm sure the bookies' odds are going to be incredibly
long for someone like Graham Brady, but they were for Jeremy Corbyn and he won.
SOARES: Joey Jones, thank you very much. Good to see you. Still ahead, we will bring you the view from Brussels. E.U. officials wonder whom they
will be working with next as the October deadline Brexit, of course, the Brexit deadline that looms large. That's coming up next after a very short
break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:47:11] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.
SOARES: Welcome back to CNN. Now, Britain's Conservative Party is beginning to discuss who could be the next Prime Minister. This is after
Theresa May announced she will resign. She did so roughly at 10:00 a.m. local this morning. She will step down on June 7th.
There is speculation these politicians could launch leadership bids and that ranges from former Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson to Environment
Secretary, Michael Gove and former Leader of the Commons -- you can see there -- Andrea Leadsom, David Lidington, Dominic Raab -- just some of the
names that potentially they'll be throwing their hats in the ring and perhaps more in the coming days.
So what has been the reaction from Brussels? Erin McLaughlin is there and she joins me now. Erin, if I can ask you for, first of all, what has been
the reaction to Theresa May's news that she is going to step down on June 7th? And how worried is Europe about the possibility let's say of a
Brexiteer taking over?
ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we've heard, Isa from a variety of E.U. leaders in the last few hours pretty much saying remarkably similar
things about British Prime Minister Theresa May, praising her courage, praising her determination.
We heard from Leo Varadkar, the Irish Taoiseach say quote, "She is principled, honorable, and deeply passionate about doing her best for her
country and her party."
We also heard from the Elysee Palace on behalf of French President Emanuel Macron praise her quote, "Courageous efforts in the interest of country and
her respect for her European partners." Similar things were said at the European Commission during the noon briefing today. Take a listen to what
Jean-Claude Juncker's spokesperson had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MINA ANDREEVA, DEPUTY CHIEF SPOKESWOMAN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION: President Juncker followed Prime Minister May's announcements this morning without
personal joy. The President very much liked and appreciated working with Prime Minister May and as he has said before, Theresa May is a woman of
courage, for whom he has great respect. He will equally respect and establish working relations with any new Prime Minister, whomever they may
be, without stopping his conversations with Prime Minister May.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCLAUGHLIN: We also heard from the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte at the end of his tweet pointing to the fact that the very same deal that remains
at the center of this impasse, well that deal is still on the table. Very worried here in Brussels in private conversations I've been having with
senior E.U. officials that the probability of a no-deal scenario with Theresa May's resignation has just gone up -- Isa.
SOARES: Absolutely. Erin McLaughlin there for us in Brussels. Thanks very much, Erin. Of course, our coverage -- we will continue our coverage
Theresa May's decision to step down on June 7th after a very short break. Do stay right here with CNN.
[09:52:19] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.
SOARES: It is 2:52 here in London. Welcome back to CNN special live coverage from London where Prime Minister Theresa May's Premiership is now
in its final phase.
I am joined now by Liberal Democrat MP, Tom Brake, just to get a sense, Tom from you first all of what you make of Theresa May's -- what you made of
Theresa May's speech first of all and then we can talk about where we go from here.
I know everyone is saying it is almost inevitable. But you heard the Prime Minister today, how do you think she will be remembered?
TOM BRAKE, BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, LIBERAL DEMOCRAT: Well, I'm afraid she will be remembered as someone who three years ago embarked on an
impossible task, failed to secure the support of any of the opposition parties, really played her party's gallery only and has failed, I'm afraid.
SOARES: She said she made concessions. Do you think those concessions came early enough? Do you think she made any concessions?
BRAKE: I don't think she made any real concessions at all, and those concessions such as they were was something that she started to talk about
three months ago whereas this is something that's been going on for three years.
SOARES: Let's look ahead then, the starting yard on the leadership -- Conservatory leadership contest has now started. How worried are you about
who the next Prime Minister maybe?
BRAKE: Well, I'm worried because I think it's inevitable that the next Prime Minister will be someone who is a hard Brexiteer because of course,
they've got to appeal to their electorate and their electorate is the membership of the Conservative Party, not the country.
That's just over a hundred thousand people who have predominantly very hard Brexit issues.
SOARES: So they will be trying to appease that.
BRAKE: They will have to appeal to that. Therefore, the likelihood that they will argue that no deal is what they're going to pursue is greatly
increased. And of course, what I would say is that is completely unacceptable because three years ago, when we had a referendum, no one in
the leave camp was suggesting we were going to end up with no deal.
SOARES: It almost sounds like there might be a new leader at Downing Street, but in fact, the problems won't be solved, it will still be a
divided Houses of Parliament.
BRAKE: Well a new leader makes no difference whatsoever in terms of the numbers in Parliament and makes no difference over for instance, the fact
that we are going to leave the European Union without a deal on the 31st of October unless something else happens.
So it's very hard to say whether it's Jeremy Hunt or Boris Johnson, whether they're going to make much difference to that.
The only way out of this for them is to agree to the idea of a people's votes, link their deal to a people's vote and that is something which can
get through Parliament.
SOARES: But this is something that we've heard time and time again from within her own party they do not want.
BRAKE: Well, they don't want it, but presumably they don't want no deal either because a chance of that --
SOARES: Well, who knows that at this stage?
BRAKE: Our Chancellor has set out that would be hugely damaging. This is something that would get them out of this mess. I think whoever the new
leader has to show some imagination, courage and accept the offer.
[09:55:14] SOARES: And at this point, obviously what everyone will be worried about is a disorderly Brexit and what that will do to the country
and Europe, I'm sure will be worried about that. In fact, we heard from Erin today.
Tom, thank you very much. Good to see you. And as Tom and I were talking, we can -- as you can hear, a very noisy crowd here who are trying to raise
awareness of climate change, trying to make the most of the fact that the press, the media are here to talk about what Theresa May said today, that
she is stepping down on June 7th, trying to get their voices heard.
But apologies if you heard any language that you should not be hearing that wouldn't ever air on CNN.
And that does it for me for this hour. Do stay right here with us. We continue our Breaking News coverage of Prime Minister May's resignation
continue after a short break. You're watching CNN. We are of course the world's news leader.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:00:00]
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