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.

An emotional Steve Baker regrets 'Brexit hardman' image and speaks about 'mental health crisis'

Baker has urged his Tory colleagues to back the Windsor Framework.

AN EMOTIONAL STEVE Baker has spoken about “a major mental health crisis” he experienced as a result of “leading rebellions” against Brexit negotiations. 

Baker is a former member of the pro-Brexit European Research Group (ERG) of Tory MPs and was one of the staunchest advocates for a so-called ‘hard Brexit’ from the European Union. 

The ERG remains a difficulty for current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the group is due to meet tonight to discuss the latest deal with the EU. 

Baker, however, has spoken about the regrets he has about some of the positions he adopted in the past. 

Baker is now a minister in the Northern Ireland Office and made headlines last year when he issued an apology for his past “ferocious” stances on negotiations with the EU.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight last night, Baker was visibly emotional as he urged his colleagues to back the Windsor Framework, saying it was time to “be sensible and grown up and do the right thing by 1.9 million people”. 

He described his work in the ERG and the lockdown-sceptic COVID Recovery Group as “holding these tigers by the tail”, saying they caused him emotional distress. 

“Seven years of this cost me my mental health. The beard, the jewellery, this is about my recovery,” Baker said, pointing at his appearance. 

In November 2021 I had a major mental health crisis, anxiety and depression, I couldn’t go on. People couldn’t tell, I made a big keynote speech in the afternoon.

“But make no mistake, holding these tigers by the tail, Brexit, the COVID Recovery Group, the Net Zero scrutiny group. The tax stuff we did with Conservative Way Forward, it took its toll. We’re all only human. And the way I’ve led rebellions no one should have to and this is an important moment for me personally, because I can authentically say he’s done it.”

He asked people to “read the text” of the deal, saying that it provides “an incredible opportunity for the people of Northern Ireland”. 

He added: “Just be sensible and grown up do the right thing by 1.9 million people and the ripple effects for everybody else. You bet I’m emotional, because this bookends a seven-year chapter of my life which I will be glad to close.”

Baker went on to say that one of the “worst mistakes he’s ever made” was to embrace the description of a “Brexit hardman” that was given to him. 

“I stupidly invited a journalist to put it to me on air, thinking it was funny, but it was just a mistake at the end of a long, exhausting day and unfortunately, it was catnip to the press. I made the mistake once, it Agot repeated and repeated. It cost me 2,000 votes in Wycombe and it’s still, as you’re showing now, it’s still a stone in my shoe.”

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
11 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 Mick Tobin
    Favourite Mick Tobin
    Report
    Feb 28th 2023, 12:22 PM

    I’ve always been concerned about the mental health of Brexiteers in general.

    332
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Johnson
    Favourite Joe Johnson
    Report
    Feb 28th 2023, 3:51 PM

    @Mick Tobin: This guy jumped on the Brexit Bus just like Boris Johnson did for their own selfish political reasons. Takes courage to admit you were wrong in some if not all of the grief he caused to the people of this island.

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matt Rogers
    Favourite Matt Rogers
    Report
    Mar 1st 2023, 12:20 PM

    @Mick Tobin:
    People who are nostalgic for ‘the glory days of the empire’ (Brexiteers) have some mental health issues. Somewhere between the Norman Invasion, The Industrial Revolution, The British Empire and Brexit the English People have lost their identity.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian O'Donovan
    Favourite Ian O'Donovan
    Report
    Feb 28th 2023, 12:59 PM

    He apparently apologised to Simon Coveney at the Queen’ funeral for his behaviour, which was a first..

    123
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David cotter
    Favourite David cotter
    Report
    Feb 28th 2023, 12:22 PM

    What a strange fellow to be sure…..me thinks it’s better for everyone if he put sweeping up the high Wycombe side streets rather then being an MP

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Fitz
    Favourite Kevin Fitz
    Report
    Feb 28th 2023, 1:05 PM

    What an oddball. Strange man.

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RogersRabbit
    Favourite RogersRabbit
    Report
    Feb 28th 2023, 2:17 PM

    What did he do during negotiations that made him noteworthy?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Deegan
    Favourite Stephen Deegan
    Report
    Feb 28th 2023, 2:19 PM

    @RogersRabbit: He cried.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fergus Jones
    Favourite Fergus Jones
    Report
    Feb 28th 2023, 6:36 PM

    If you sow misery ect .

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Curran
    Favourite Chris Curran
    Report
    Feb 28th 2023, 5:17 PM

    Special tax status next

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute zephyrum
    Favourite zephyrum
    Report
    Feb 28th 2023, 10:16 PM

    charlatan

    2
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

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds