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Brokenshire: Tory leadership candidates should drop out Brokenshire: Tory leadership candidates should drop out
(about 1 hour later)
Some candidates in the Conservative leadership contest should consider pulling out, Housing Minister James Brokenshire will say later.Some candidates in the Conservative leadership contest should consider pulling out, Housing Minister James Brokenshire will say later.
The communities secretary is not standing for the role but says the party needs to find a new leader fast. The communities secretary, who is not running himself, says the party needs to find a new leader fast.
Theresa May steps down on Friday and 13 Conservative MPs so far have put themselves forward to succeed her.Theresa May steps down on Friday and 13 Conservative MPs so far have put themselves forward to succeed her.
Mr Brokenshire will call on the least popular candidates to retire before nominations close next week. Former Chancellor Ken Clarke called the contest a "shambles" and said there were too many people running.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the race was "in danger of becoming a rather tragic farce unless some order is brought into it".
Currently, MPs only require the backing of two parliamentary colleagues to stand in the leadership race.Currently, MPs only require the backing of two parliamentary colleagues to stand in the leadership race.
Senior Conservatives will meet on Monday afternoon to discuss whether to change the rules so potential candidates need more supporters to begin their bid.Senior Conservatives will meet on Monday afternoon to discuss whether to change the rules so potential candidates need more supporters to begin their bid.
A final decision will be made by the executive of the backbench 1922 Committee on Tuesday.A final decision will be made by the executive of the backbench 1922 Committee on Tuesday.
After nominations close, all 313 Conservative MPs will vote for their preferred candidate in a series of polls that will whittle down the contenders one by one.After nominations close, all 313 Conservative MPs will vote for their preferred candidate in a series of polls that will whittle down the contenders one by one.
Some MPs are keen to reduce the number of hopefuls swiftly, since the wider Tory membership of 124,000 will only vote on two candidates.Some MPs are keen to reduce the number of hopefuls swiftly, since the wider Tory membership of 124,000 will only vote on two candidates.
"We simply do not have the luxury of weeks of navel gazing or days and days of whittling candidates down to the final two and talking to ourselves," Mr Brokenshire is expected to say in a speech to the centre-right think tank, Policy Exchange. Mr Brokenshire will call on the least popular candidates to retire before nominations close next week.
Mr Brokenshire will also use the speech to suggest people should be allowed to use part of their pension pot to help them buy their first home. "We simply do not have the luxury of weeks of navel gazing or days and days of whittling candidates down to the final two and talking to ourselves," he is expected to say in a speech to the centre-right think tank, Policy Exchange.
"To those who are in their 20s and finding it difficult to save, this idea offers a genuine route to a deposit," he is expected to say. Fellow Tory MP Phillip Lee also called the legitimacy of the contest into question, claiming there had been a "significant influx" in new members over the past year.
The suggestion is a "personal idea any leadership contender should consider seriously" he says. The pro-Remain backbencher, who lost a vote of no confidence by his local Conservative Association, said some had been former members of other parties, including the far-right BNP.
He told Today: "I would ask people to reflect upon where that takes us with our representational democracy."
'A heavy heart'
Meanwhile, candidates are continuing to outline their pitches to become the next Tory leader - and UK prime minister - especially when it comes to their plans for Brexit.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he still wanted to be able to leave the EU with a deal, but would be prepared to exit without one "as a last resort [and] with a heavy heart".
He told Today: "I would be prepared to do it in extremis, but I wouldn't do it if there was a prospect of a better deal."
Mr Hunt said he believed a new deal could be done with the EU before 31 October - the deadline for Brexit.
He added: "I don't pretend it is going to be easy, but I think it is possible."
Mr Clarke - who wants to Remain in the EU - said Parliament must have the chance to stop a no deal and denying it that opportunity would be a "constitutional outrage".
He added: "A no-deal Brexit is attractive to a lot of people... because it sounds like, 'Oh, let's cut through all this nonsense, I'm tired of it. Three years of nonsense. Just let's leave.'
"The assumption is not much would change. But leaving means WTO rules - that means tariffs of 20% on our steel exports through Europe, 10% on our cars, and much higher figures on our agricultural exports, it means no agreement on the licensing of medicines, security, policing.
"It is a dangerous shambles, this no-deal thing."
Who will replace Theresa May?Who will replace Theresa May?
The winner of the contest to lead the Conservative Party will become the next prime minister.The winner of the contest to lead the Conservative Party will become the next prime minister.