Philip Hammond led an exodus of Remainer Cabinet ministers in quitting the Government this afternoon before Boris Johnson takes over as prime minister and steers the UK towards a possible No Deal Brexit.
The Chancellor honoured a weekend pledge to walk out rather than be part of an administration committed to a No Deal Brexit.
He was followed by Justice Secretary David Gauke and Aid Secretary Rory Stewart, who had both long signposted their intention to resign before being fired by Mr Johnson.
In his letter, published on Twitter, Mr Hammond said Mrs May's successor must 'be free to choose a Chancellor who is fully aligned with his policy position.'
He said: 'We bequeath to our successors genuine choices, once a Brexit deal is done: The ability to choose, within fiscal rules, between increased public spending, reduced taxes, higher investment or progress towards faster debt reduction - or some combination of all four.
'After a decade when the aftermath of the 2008-09 recession meant we had no choices, this is a luxury which our successors should use wisely.'
Others expected to quit include de-facto prime minister David Lidington. They follow three ministers who had already quit.
They are all expected to join a Remainer resistance to any attempt by Mr Johnson to take Britain out of Europe without a Brexit deal on October 31.
The move is being taken to pre-empt being sacked as he installs hardcore Brexiteers in their jobs.
In his letter, published on Twitter Mr Hammond (leaving Number 11 to attend PMQs today) said Mrs May's successor must 'be free to choose a Chancellor who is fully aligned with his policy position'
Rory Stewart posted this enigmatic tweet after the news of his resignation broke
Mr Hammond, who joined Mrs May on the frontbench for the last time at PMQs, has refused to rule out opposing the Government in a no confidence vote brought by Labour.
Lord Taylor of Holbeach also retired as the Government's chief whip in the House of Lords.
Mr Hammond has refused to rule out opposing the Government in a no confidence vote brought by Labour.
Last week he said he was not going to 'exclude anything at the moment' when asked directly whether he could back a bid to scupper Mr Johnson who has pledged to deliver Brexit by October 31 'do or die'.
Meanwhile Mr Gauke earlier today posted a picture of himself and Mr Stewart as old men returning to the Government.
He used the FaceApp which uses digital wizardry to age people in photographs to show them 30 years older.
Mr Gauke shared a photo of the pair with the words: 'A few Ministers leaving government today. Some of us hope to return... one day #BRB.'
And Mr Stewart replied saying: 'Looking forward to that great 2045 cabinet return...'
Mr Gauke leaving his last Cabinet meeting as Justice Secretary yesterday ahead of his expected resignation this afternoon
Aid Secretary Rory Stewart (pictured at PMQs) is also expected to resign this afternoon
They are expected to quit after Therersa May's final Prime Minister's Questions at noon, before she goes to Buckingham Palace to officially resign herself and recommend Boris Johnson replace her.
Three more junior ministers have already quit. Education minister Anne Milton quit her post minutes before Mr Johnson was elected Tory leader yesterday, saying she had 'grave concerns about leaving the EU without a deal'.
Mr Johnson is expected to appoint a new Brexiteer-heavy, ethnically diverse Cabinet after he meets the Queen and becomes Prime Minister later today
Priti Patel, who was sacked by Theresa May less than two years ago, is set for a remarkable return as part of a Cabinet that insiders said would be the most ethnically diverse ever
The Guildford MP, who has spend nine years in various Government posts, is the latest senior minister to walk out ahead of an expected Johnson administration.
Sir Alan Duncan quit as foreign office minister on Monday following in the footsteps of digital minister Margot James, who left last week.
Meanwhile Labour's shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner said the party was in discussions with some Tory MPs about the 'nuclear option' of a vote of no confidence in incoming PM Boris Johnson's government.
Asked if Labour was talking to such MPs, Mr Gardiner told the BBC: 'Of course those discussions are going on.'
Mr Johnson is expected to appoint a new Brexiteer-heavy, ethnically diverse Cabinet after he meets the Queen and becomes Prime Minister later today.
The newly elected Tory leader is tipped to promote and reinstate a host of new names as he takes a sword to the ministers who have served Theresa May.
A source close to the Tory leader said: 'Boris will build a cabinet showcasing all the talents within the party that truly reflect modern Britain.'
Priti Patel, who was sacked by Theresa May less than two years ago, is set for a remarkable return.
Sources suggested Miss Patel could even be appointed as Home Secretary, although her name has also been linked to both the Department for International Trade and the party chairman's job.
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News Photo Hammond, Stewart and Gauke QUIT: Remainer exodus begins as ministers jump before they are pushed
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