[Brexit and the Conservative Party]: Brexit: The Conservative Centre cannot hold

Divisions within the UK Conservative Party as to the future relationship between the the United Kingdom and the European Union continued in August and September 2018 to affect the nature of the government's negotiations with the EU.

Despite Prime Minister Theresa May and some of her government ministers strongly arguing that for the terms of the agreement hammered out by her cabinet at Chequers on the 6 July 2018 (and formally outlined in a White Paper on the 12 July 2018) which outlined a detailed vision for a new EU-UK relationship after Britain's departure after March 2019, there was rising opposition to the agreement within key parts of the Conservative Party such as:

+ Party members in the constituencies
+ Key Leave figures such as Steve Baker, David Davies, Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees Mogg
+ Key Remain figures such as Justine Greening and Nick Boles.

To follow earlier developments during July 2018 see this ESO: In Focus: Conservative Party Brexit turmoil continues after resignation of Cabinet Ministers David Davis and Boris Johnson, July 2018.

Further related relevant information:

+ Policy paper. Government statement following Cabinet away day at Chequers, July 2018.
+ White Paper. The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, July 2018
+ EU reaction to White Paper and Chequers Plan
+ [Brexit Negotiations]: Programme: EU-UK Article 50 negotiations Brussels, 16-17 August 2018 / 21-22 August 2018 / 29-31 August 2018
+ [Brexit negotiations]: UK Prime Minister and Ministers make bilateral visits to EU Member States, July-August 2018
+ The Brexit White Paper on future relations and alternative proposals, August 2018
+ Technical Notices: Contingency Plans for a No deal Brexit. How to prepare if the UK leaves the EU with no deal, August-September 2018

Federal Trust: Blog, 18.07.18: Mrs May has no choice but to obey Jacob Rees-Mogg http://fedtrust.co.uk/mrs-may-has-no-choice-but-to-obey-jacob-rees-mogg/

ESO: Find more information in ESO on the Conservative Party and Brexit after the referendum http://www.europeansources.info/advSearchLink?keyword=brexit%20after%20conservative%20party%20&searchOption=all

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

Conservative Home, 04.09.18: Our Survey. May’s summer offensive makes no impact. Over two in three Party members continue to oppose the Chequers plan https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2018/09/our-survey-mays-summer-offensive-makes-no-impact-two-in-three-party-members-continue-to-oppose-the-chequers-plan.html

Conservative Home, 03.09.18: Opposing Chequers is not enough https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2018/09/opposing-chequers-is-not-enough.html

In Facts, 03.09.18: Neither Johnson nor Gove’s buddy has a credible Brexit plan https://infacts.org/neither-johnson-nor-goves-buddy-has-a-credible-brexit-plan/

Politico, 03.09.18: Boris Johnson not ‘serious’ on Brexit, says Downing Street https://www.politico.eu/article/downing-street-on-boris-johnson-not-serious-and-with-no-new-ideas/

Politico, 28.08-03.09.18: What the 8 Tory Brexit tribes want https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-8-tory-tribes-conservative-party/

In Facts, 04.09.18: Here are 3 viable hard Brexit options. All are dreadful https://infacts.org/here-are-3-viable-hard-brexit-options-all-are-dreadful/

BBC News, 12.09.18: Brexiteers discuss Theresa May leadership challenge https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45488136

Conservative Home, 12.09.18: Flying frogs https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2018/09/flying-frogs.html

EurActiv, 03.09.18: Johnson: UK waving ‘white flag’ in Brexit talks https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/johnson-uk-waiving-white-flag-in-brexit-talks/

Politico, 03.09.18: Jacob Rees-Mogg: Barnier and I agree May’s plan won’t fly https://www.politico.eu/article/jacob-rees-mogg-michel-barnier-and-i-agree-may-plan-wont-fly/

BBC News, 09.09.18: Boris Johnson compares Chequers deal to 'suicide vest' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45462900

Conservative Home, 09.09.18: Private or public, everything Johnson does is viewed through the prism of Brexit https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2018/09/private-or-public-everything-johnson-does-is-viewed-through-the-prism-of-brexit.html

Politico, 09.09.18: Boris Johnson: May’s Chequers plan is like ‘a suicide vest’ https://www.politico.eu/article/boris-johnson-brexit-suicide-vest-eu-uk-british-constitution/

The Independent, 10.09.18: Battle lines drawn in Tory civil war as former Brexit minister warns May of 'catastrophic split' https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/conservative-party-split-theresa-may-chequers-brexit-steve-baker-conference-a8530126.html

Politico, 07-10.09.18: Theresa May’s ‘bunker mentality’ Brexit https://www.politico.eu/article/theresa-mays-brexit-bunker-mentality-chequers-residence-compare-to-tony-blair/

EurActiv, 10.09.18: May wraps ‘suicide vest’ around UK over Brexit, says Johnson https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/may-wraps-suicide-vest-around-uk-over-brexit-says-johnson/

Conservative Home, 10.09.18: The ERG dog that didn’t bark in the Johnson-preoccupied night https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2018/09/the-erg-dog-that-didnt-bark-in-the-johnson-filled-night.html

Conservative Home, 10.09.18: Mercer says he opposes Chequers because his voters do – and that May can’t lead the Party into the next election https://www.conservativehome.com/interviews-5/2018/09/mercer-says-he-opposes-chequers-because-his-voters-do-and-that-may-cant-lead-the-party-into-the-next-election.html

The Conversation, 10.07.18: Theresa May’s Brexit crisis: how to oust a Tory leader https://theconversation.com/theresa-mays-brexit-crisis-how-to-oust-a-tory-leader-99704

---