Rory Stewart to lead fight against no deal

RORY STEWART is being lined up by former cabinet ministers to lead a campaign to stop a no-deal Brexit, it has emerged.

The former international development secretary and Tory leadership hopeful, who campaigned to agree a deal with the EU, is seen as the candidate most likely to gain enough support to thwart Boris Johnson’s Brexit strategy.

Philip Hammond, who resigned as chancellor last week, is organising support for the campaign and wants Mr Stewart to be the face of it, it was reported yesterday.

Mr Stewart launched a spirited tilt at the Tory leadership that attracted support from young voters.

He resigned last week as international development secretary over his opposition to Mr Johnson’s plans to pursue a no-deal Brexit.

Mr Hammond and his former cabinet colleague David Gauke, the former justice secretary, are said to be in talks about how to kick-start the campaign, which they hope will take over the People’s Vote calls for a second referendum.

“The plan is for a huge national campaign, a bit like

‘Philip is convinced that Rory has the most cut-through with voters’

the People’s Vote, which will mobilise MPS and voters with adverts, rallies and original research,” a source told The Sunday Times.

“Philip is talking to people and there will be no shortage of support from donors. But he’s convinced that Rory has the most cut-through with voters.”

The “no to no-deal” campaign will have a parliamentary branch that has been likened to a “no-deal ERG”.