Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Senior Tories say they're stepping down after Boris Johnson confirmed as new party leader

Boris Johnson was announced as the new Conservative Party leader this afternoon.

LAST UPDATE | 23 Jul 2019

THE UK’S SKILLS and Apprenticeships Minister Anne Milton has resigned from the role, saying she has “grave concerns about leaving the EU without a deal”, while Justice Minister David Gauke has also signalled he is leaving the front bench.

It comes after Boris Johnson was confirmed as the new Conservative Party leader this afternoon, with the Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP due to become the new prime minister tomorrow. 

“And so I feel it’s time for me to return to the backbenches,” Milton wrote in a letter to Theresa May today.

Milton has served in three Departments since 2010, and was the first woman to serve as Deputy Chief Whip. In her letter to May, she spoke about the importance of further education and the “universally inspiring” apprentices she has met. 

“This has not been an easy decision for me to make… [but] we must leave the EU in a responsible manner.” 

I have always believed that our departure from the European Union should be centered around future cooperation, and I had sincerely hoped we would have been able to leave the EU in March with a deal in place. I very much regret that this was not possible. 

Milton joins other members of government, including Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, who’ve said they would resign if Johnson becomes Prime Minister due to his support of a no-deal Brexit.

Justice Minister Gauke is also on the way out, tweeting earlier that it had been an “honour to serve in Cabinet”. 

Yesterday, Foreign Office minister Alan Duncan resigned ahead of Johnson’s impending appointment, and Secretary of State for International Development Rory Stewart has said he will also resign over Johnson’s Brexit policy. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
37 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony O'Brien
    Favourite Anthony O'Brien
    Report
    Aug 29th 2012, 8:55 AM

    I’m sure lots of people throw a bet for a bit of fun. But, I can’t help but think that lots of people are going without the basics to keep Paddy in €69 million profit.

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry
    Favourite Barry
    Report
    Aug 29th 2012, 9:06 AM

    Great to see the UK and Irish governments indirectly helping out paddy power in the form of dole payments!

    its insane that we see more of these shops up and down the country at the one time that people should not be wasting money on such nonsense,

    either these types of shops should be more heavily restricted or there has to be a way to restrict how dole money can be spent…because betting is not an acceptable use!

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute itchyarse
    Favourite itchyarse
    Report
    Aug 29th 2012, 10:49 AM

    I’ll waste my money on whatever nonsense I want.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nuffsaid Thatsall
    Favourite Nuffsaid Thatsall
    Report
    Aug 29th 2012, 11:06 AM

    Why should the shops be restricted!?! It’s a person’s own decision to go in there & bet their money!! If it turns out that the money being punted originated as a welfare payment then more-fool us, as a state, for giving it to them!!

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marian Lenehan
    Favourite Marian Lenehan
    Report
    Aug 29th 2012, 11:00 AM

    The Chinese love to gamble even though it is illegal in Mainland China. The Chinese population in Ireland will keep Paddy Power afloat : )

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bilbo Baggins
    Favourite Bilbo Baggins
    Report
    Aug 29th 2012, 11:21 AM

    They don’t need the chinese to help em, we’re not shy of a bet or two. But your right the chinese and a few more Asian countries have the gambling gene big style..

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve
    Favourite Steve
    Report
    Aug 29th 2012, 9:07 AM

    getting into bed with the Italian and Spanish governments to rip-off punters in those countries was a solid business move.

    banning or severely limiting anyone who turns a profit also helps.

    they’re a mickey mouse bookie really. All style, no substance.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Larney
    Favourite Derek Larney
    Report
    Aug 29th 2012, 10:50 AM

    No substance ? I bought some of their shares 18 months ago at €27 each, today they’re worth €52 each, I’ve nearly doubled my money on them so for me they have plenty of substance to go with their style. Paddy Power are one of the most profitable Irish companies about and if they manage to crack the US and Canadian markets that share price will go even higher up towards €70.

    And you don’t know what you’re talking about Steve.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve
    Favourite Steve
    Report
    Aug 29th 2012, 1:15 PM

    I don’t dispute their business acumen. They provide a lot of jobs here and I applaud them for it.

    But their success is based on clever marketing and the ability to attract the casual punter that doesn’t particularly care about things like low limits and lousy margins, in contrast to somewhere like Pinnacle where competitiveness pricing and limits are everything.

    Paddy Power is not a place for serious punters and any book that offers odds on a market and then only allows a customer to place less than a tenner on it is Mickey Mouse in my book.

    And I can assure you I know what I’m talking about.

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel