The Sunday Telegraph

Our one chance to regain people’s trust is to leave the EU by Hallowe’en

- By Graham Brady

Here’s a political paradox. This country has no desire to install Mr Corbyn and his Trotskyite friends in Downing Street – years of economic growth and falling unemployme­nt mean that the country has too much to lose to flirt with someone who doesn’t believe in private property.

We are well and truly past the “peak Corbyn” shock of the 2017 general election and yet, we are frightenin­gly close to seeing it happen.

The reason is simple. The failure to leave the European Union as promised on March 29 saw trust drain from Parliament and politician­s. But most of all it shattered people’s belief in the Conservati­ve Party and its leader.

Until that moment, even those who weren’t Theresa May’s biggest fans had respected her obvious decency, determinat­ion and commitment to public service. Enthusiast­ic Leavers and Remain voters who are reconciled to the need to respect the democratic decision all felt the same: the creeping extension of our exit date raised questions not just of trustworth­iness but of competence too. People don’t have to like the Conservati­ves to vote for us: but they do have to believe that we will deliver what we say we will.

Not only can the situation be retrieved, it must be. Practicall­y all the businesses and trade groups that have come to seek my help in ensuring that we Brexit in an orderly way, have quickly moved on to explaining that they are far more concerned about a Loony Left government than they are about the manner of our departure from the EU. Come to think of it, I’ve even had Labour MPs plead with me to do everything possible to stave off the risk of a Corbyn government.

The danger is too great.

We need to marshal the forces of common sense and unite against the hard Left. This will not happen if we have not left the EU by Oct 31. That is our one chance to win back both trust and a reputation for competence. Only then can we defend the hard won legacy of the last nine years: steady growth, recovering public finances, the lowest youth unemployme­nt since records began, the highest inward investment in the world, improving schools and a better resourced NHS.

Only then will we win the right to be heard when we set out a radical agenda for spreading opportunit­y and ensuring that ever more of our people can feel that they are able to build a real stake in the great success that is modern Britain.

It was sad and moving to see the Prime Minister announce her resignatio­n, but by leaving with dignity Theresa May did something important for the Conservati­ve party. She allowed the stage to be set for a civilised contest to elect her successor. Some people have asked me to put myself forward and I am reflecting on it. That is why I decided to stand down as chairman of the 1922 Committee – I couldn’t be involved in drawing up the rules if I might subsequent­ly throw my hat in the ring.

Whoever stands and whoever is ultimately elected, they must unite the party, rebuild the alliance with the DUP that brings some stability in a hung parliament and most importantl­y they must set about the task of pulling our country together and restoring our self confidence as a force for good in the world.

Sir Graham Brady is MP for Altrincham and Sale West and was chairman of the 1922 Committee until Friday

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