Staying true to his threat of resigning if Boris Johnson becomes U.K’s Prime Minister, British finance minister Philip Hammond took a bow from Government on Wednesday July 24th.
Hammond, nicknamed “Spreadsheet Phil” for his dogged devotion to strict budgets had strongly opposed leaving the European Union without a deal. He said in his letter that he left the economy in a state that would allow his successor to choose between tax cuts, higher spending or faster debt reduction if they left the EU smoothly.
“After the decade when the aftermath of the 2008-09 recession meant we had no choices, this is a luxury which our successors should use wisely,” the 63-year-old Oxford University graduate and one of Britain’s most respected officials said.
Shortly after his announcement, International Development secretary Rory Stewart and Justice Secretary David Gauke also resigned. The trio had earlier stated that they cannot support Mr Johnson’s ‘do or die’ commitment to take Britain out of the EU by the deadline of October 31.
Minister for the Cabinet Office David Lidington, known as the De facto deputy prime minister, also joined in the resignation gallore. Metro UK reported that another opponent of a no-deal Brexit who may be on his way out, is Business Secretary Greg Clark.
