DAVID Lidington has served as the MP for Aylesbury since 1992 and is a member of the Conservative Party – but there are rumours he could become the next prime minister.
We explain who he is, why he might be the PM and what he has said about Brexit.
PA:Press Association
Who is David Lidington?
David Lidington was born on June 30, 1956 in Lambeth, London.
He has been the Conservative MP for Aylesbury since 1992 and was the Secretary of State for Justice from 2017 to 2018.
Lidington also served as the Lord Chancellor between 2017 and 2018.
He currently serves as the Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party – making him the second most powerful minster in the government.
Lidington was previously appointed to being Leader of the House of Commons.
Under David Cameron’s government, he was made Europe minister and held that position until he was made Leader of House in July 2018 – making him the longest serving Europe Minister ever.
Why might Lidington become the next PM?
Lidington is among those named to replace Theresa May if she resigns because he is her deputy in all but name.
He is logically next in line.
One senior cabinet minister told the Mail on Sunday: “The British public will never forgive us if, in a time of historical crisis, our answer is David Lidington.”
And it has been reported that Lidington and Chancellor Philip Hammond are being they are the ones to ease May out of office to save Brexit.
What has Lidington said about Brexit?
Lidington does not support a No Deal Brexit.
Lidington has already held talks with the opposition on how to moved forward if May’s Brexit deal is rejected again in the Commons.
The UK government will have to find a way forward by April 12 if they don’t want to leave the EU without a deal.
An opposition source told the Times: “He was keen to discuss whether there should be indicative ballots [when MPs can vote for each alternative they like] or exhaustive ballots [where each round narrows the choice until one option is ultimately selected].”
