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Brokenshire: Tory leadership candidates should drop out Brokenshire: Tory leadership candidates should drop out
(32 minutes 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, who is not running himself, 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.
Former Chancellor Ken Clarke called the contest a "shambles" and said there were too many people running.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".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.
Mr Brokenshire will call on the least popular candidates to retire before nominations close next week.Mr Brokenshire will call on the least popular candidates to retire before nominations close next week.
"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."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.
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.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 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.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."He told Today: "I would ask people to reflect upon where that takes us with our representational democracy."
'A heavy heart''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.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".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."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. Mr Hunt said he believed a new deal could be done with the EU before 31 October - the deadline for Brexit - but added: "I don't pretend it is going to be easy, but I think it is possible."
He added: "I don't pretend it is going to be easy, but I think it is possible." The EU has consistently said it is not willing to re-open the current withdrawal agreement negotiated between the bloc and Mrs May, despite it being voted down by Parliament three times.
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".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.'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."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.""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.
Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has also outlined his plans for education spending if he were to become the next PM, using his column in the Daily Telegraph to pledge to "significantly" increase money spent on secondary school pupils. Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has launched a campaign video on Twitter, showing him discussing issues with voters on the doorstep - such as leaving the EU at the end of October with or without a deal, increasing funding per pupil in schools and bringing back police stop-and-search powers.
Mr Johnson said there was a "yawning funding gap" between different areas of the UK, ranging from £6,800 in some parts of London compared to £4,200 elsewhere in the country. He said: "If there is one lesson from that referendum of 2016, it is that too many people feel left behind [and] that they are not able to take part fully in the opportunities and success of our country.
Comparing the UK to a "giant that is managing heroically to hop on one leg", Mr Johnson said school funding could enable the nation to take "gigantic strides". "That's why now is the time to unite our society and unite our country."
Former Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey has also outlined how she would take money from the international aid budget to put into public services.
She told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire that austerity measures, which saw cut to the services, were needed in 2010 for the country "to get back on its feet", but it was time for a "nimble leader who can change things when they need to be changed".
As a result, Ms McVey said she would put an additional £4bn into schools and £3bn into police.
Over the weekend, other candidates made more announcements for their campaigns, including:Over the weekend, other candidates made more announcements for their campaigns, including:
The backstop is the policy within the withdrawal agreement which aims to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland in case of a no-deal Brexit.
The EU has said it is a key part of the withdrawal agreement, which it is not willing to reconsider or subject to a time limit.