CUMBRIAN politicians have called for calm as the debate over Theresa May’s controversial draft Brexit deal became more heated than ever.

Within hours of her cabinet collectively approving the withdrawal deal, the Prime Minister was plunged into political turmoil as two high-profile ministers quit their jobs in protest - Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey, and Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab.

Chief Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg accused the Prime Minister of breaking her earlier promises on Brexit, while former foreign secretary Boris Johnson claimed that the deal risked turning the UK into a “vassal” [slave] state.

Cumbrian MPs voiced radically differing views - but they were united in calling for a calm and reasoned debate before the deal is voted on.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said he was not convinced the draft Brexit deal is the right way forward.

“There’s too much ambiguity - particularly with regard to the Customs Union,” he said. “I stand by my long-held view that it’s in the best interests of the UK to join the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and then do a deal on the back of that.”

Mr Stevenson said the strong language now being used by some politicians - including Boris Johnson - was not necessary.

He rated the prospect of Parliament approving the draft deal as remote. But a failure to approve a deal of some sort could trigger a “catastrophic” Brexit crash-out, he warned. The MP added: “It’s the responsibility of members of Parliament to forge a new arrangement with the EU.”

Penrith and the Border MP Rory Stewart gave enthusiastic backing the Prime Minister’s draft deal.

“The Prime Minister has pulled off something remarkable,” said the MP, who is also prisons minister.

“Basically, what she’s pulled off is what Europe said they would not give us, which is control over immigration, full single market access, and no regulations around selling, which is completely vital to keep our big industries going.”

Mr Stewart said that the dramatic comments made by leading Brexiteers such as Jacob Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson, were over-the-top.

“It’s dangerous talk,” said Mr Stewart.

“We’ve managed to get control over immigration, to have no Common Agricultural Policy, no Common Fisheries Policy; we’re leaving all that federal stuff behind; and the deal gets rid of our massive contributions to the EU budget. They [the Brexiteers] are running the risk that we will have a very, very damaging crash out of the EU.”

That would trigger a collapse in business confidence, and a difficult economic period, said Mr Stewart, who has read the the 585 page draft deal

The EU “red tape” that Brexiteers want to ditch refers to environmental regulations, social regulations, and workers’ rights, said Mr Stewart.

He said the pro-Brexit economist Sir Patrick Minford had suggested moving away from manufacturing goods such as cars into different types of business.

“I don’t think that’s what people voted for,” said Mr Stewart. “It’s an extremely disruptive and dangerous idea. Trying to do that would lead to a lot of disruption. - and economic turmoil. A lot of people would be worse off.

“I don’t think they’ve sketched out how their ideas are going to work.” Mr Stewart concluded by calling for calm, adding: “I still believe that sense will prevail.”

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron described the draft deal as “the worst of all worlds.”

He said: “If you voted leave, you wouldn’t want to be in a situation where the EU is able to keep us in the Customs Union against your will and you wouldn’t want the European Court of Justice to have the final say on things that come out of this country.

“If you voted remain, you wouldn’t want Northern Ireland to be in a different arrangement to the rest of the Union, making a united Ireland and a broken up UK all the more likely. “It’s a terrible mess. I feel sympathy for Theresa May on a human level.

“We have got to down weapons and work together. This is a moment when we need a government of national unity to run until the end of this Parliament. We need to take a deep breath and go back to the negotiating table.”

Theresa May told MPs the draft deal would take back control of the UK’s borders, and also protect jobs, national security, and the integrity of the UK.