Tory leadership contest

Manx kipper tale is easy to debunk. But Isle of Man is also good example of why Brexit Britain will end up following EU rules without say.

Tory hopefuls have hardened their Brexit stances and declared Northern Ireland backstop “dead”. It may be too soon to read the last rites.

Rudd says no deal should be part of our “leverage”. That may keep her in Cabinet. Other Tories will have more leverage from backbenches.

With Hunt and Johnson both setting out extreme Brexit positions, question is who is most likely to swerve and what happens if they don’t.

Given Johnson’s troubles, Hunt may have a chance. But if he’s really against both crashing out and stopping Brexit, he doesn’t have a plan.

Pro-Europeans are latching onto Johnson’s challenger, like a drowning person clutching straws. Much better to fight hard to stay in EU.

Johnson has been at the heart of Brexit mess for last three years. His plans if he wins PM job will only widen gulf in society.

Let us imagine that Boris had backed Remain. He announces he is due to deliver a keynote speech. This is what it might sound like.

Candidates rightly want to fix our schools, transport, police, housing etc. But they can’t afford to unless they cancel Brexit.

Tory leadership contenders are promoting a host of fantasy Brexit ideas. Here are five of their unicorns that need slaying.

Sensible Conservative MPs should rally around Sam Gyimah, the only leadership candidate with a viable plan to stop “no deal”.

Brexiter challenge is not just to May’s leadership. Lengthy contest to replace her could force the UK out of the EU without a deal.