Secretary_of_State_for_Exiting_the_European_Union

Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union

Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union

Former British Cabinet position

The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union or, informally, Brexit Secretary,[1] was a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for the business of the Department for Exiting the European Union, as well as for the UK's withdrawal from the European Union (EU), informally referred to as "Brexit". The secretary of state oversaw Brexit negotiations following a 2016 referendum, in which a majority of those who voted were in favour of exiting the EU.[2][3] The officeholder was a member of the Cabinet.

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The position was created on 13 July 2016, at the outset of the premiership of Theresa May.[4] The office was abolished on 31 January 2020, during the premiership of Boris Johnson, as the United Kingdom left the European Union.[5] A new cabinet position of Minister of State for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency was later created.[6]

The Minister of State for Exiting the European Union deputised for the secretary of state. The corresponding shadow minister was the Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. The secretary of state was also scrutinised by the Exiting the European Union Select Committee.[7]

This page also includes the portfolios of the Chief Negotiator for Exiting the European Union and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.

History

May reportedly ordered civil servants to find a building to house a new Department for Exiting the European Union, to be headed by the secretary of state.[8] The headquarters of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) at Whitehall Place, which was to be vacated once the DECC was merged into the newly created Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, was viewed as a potential site for the department.[3] The department later occupied 9 Downing Street.

The inaugural holder was David Davis MP,[4] a longtime Eurosceptic who campaigned for the UK to leave the EU.[9] Davis is a former chairman of the Conservative Party who served in the government of John Major as Minister of State for Europe (1994–97) and in the Shadow Cabinet of David Cameron as shadow home secretary.[10]

Davis resigned on 8 July 2018 shortly before midnight; Dominic Raab was appointed on 9 July as his replacement and resigned on 15 November 2018.[11] Steve Barclay, who had been serving as Minister of State for Health, was selected as Raab's successor on 16 November 2018.[12]

List of secretaries of state for exiting the European Union (Brexit secretaries)

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  Conservative

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List of chief negotiators for exiting the European Union

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  Conservative

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List of ministers of state for exiting the European Union

Main article: Minister of State for Exiting the European Union
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Colour key (for political parties):

  Conservative

List of parliamentary under-secretaries of state for exiting the European Union

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  Conservative

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See also

References

  1. [1]
    Cecil, Nicholas (14 July 2016). "Brexit Secretary David Davis says UK 'will quit the EU in December 2018'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  2. [2]
    James, William; Holden, Michael (13 July 2016). "'Charming Bastard' David Davis to lead Brexit talks". Reuters. Retrieved 9 July 2018..
  3. [3]
    Foster, Matt (14 July 2016). "New Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy swallows up DECC and BIS — full details and reaction". Civil Service World. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  4. [4]
    "New ministerial appointment July 2016: Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union" (Press release). Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  5. [5]
    "Department for Exiting the European Union".
  6. [6]
    "Minister of State (Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency)". Cabinet Office, UK Government. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  7. [7]
    "David Davis MP questioned on Brexit". parliament.uk. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2021. The Exiting the European Union Committee hears from David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.
  8. [8]
    Taylor, Adam (14 July 2016). "David Davis: The man in charge of getting Britain out of the E.U." Washington Post. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  9. [9]
    Crace, John (4 February 2016). "David Davis spells out his EU strategy: be more like Canada". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  10. [10]
    "Theresa May's cabinet: Who's in and who's out?". BBC News. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  11. [11]
    "Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab resigns over EU agreement". BBC News. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  12. [12]
    "Steve Barclay named new Brexit Secretary". BBC News. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  13. [13]
    "Rt Hon David Davis MP". UK Parliament. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  14. [14]
    "Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP". UK Parliament. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  15. [15]
    "Rt Hon David Jones MP". UK Parliament. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  16. [16]
    "Baroness Anelay of St Johns". UK Parliament. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  17. [17]
    "Lord Callanan". UK Parliament. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
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