Tory leadership vote – live: Sajid Javid admits Rory Stewart poses increasing threat with Boris Johnson TV debate hours away

“Indeed, half (51 per cent) of members believe that Britain ending up staying in the EU after all would damage the party to the extent that it will never lead a government again, and another 29 per cent think it would put the party out of power for multiple elections to come.

“By contrast, most members believe that successfully bringing about Brexit will win the Tories at least the next election.”

Despite the strong support for Brexit, even if it had major repercussions, Tory members indicated they would be prepared to call it off rather than see Jeremy Corbyn enter Number 10.

Some 61 per cent would rather Brexit took place even if it caused “significant damage” to the economy, 59 per cent would prioritise leaving the EU even if it meant Northern Ireland breaking away from the rest of the UK, and 54 per cent would accept the Tory party “being destroyed” in order to secure Brexit.

But only 39 per cent of the members who responded to the question said they would want Brexit to take place if it meant Labour leader Mr Corbyn becoming the next prime minister, with 51 per cent saying they would rather the UK did not leave the EU in order to avoid that happening.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he has “no problem” being the “stop Boris” candidate, and that he would “love” to go against Mr Johnson in the final two.

“I have no problem with that, and I would love to go against him in the final two in order to give members the chance to choose whether they want Boris’s Brexit or mine.”

The international development secretary only secured 19 votes in the first round of voting, but is trying to position himself as the “change” candidate who can defeat Mr Johnson in the July run-off.

The Labour Party has been fined a total of £1,750 for inaccurate quarterly donations reports and an inaccurate spending return for the last general election, the Electoral Commission has said.

The Conservative Party in Wakefield received a £200 fine for the late delivery of its 2017 statement of accounts, which it paid on 23 May.

Commenting on the fines to the Labour Party, Louise Edwards, director of regulation, said: “The reporting requirements are clear, so it is always disappointing when parties – especially well-resourced ones – fail to provide accurate reports.

“It is vital that voters are given an opportunity to see full, accurate data on where parties’ money comes from and how it is spent at elections.

“The Commission will continue to enforce these requirements on all parties and campaigners to ensure that voters have the information they need.”
 

Mr Javid said he is “less Homer’s Iliad and more Homer Simpson” in the race to become the next prime minister.

He warned that the Tory leadership race risked looking like a debate at the Oxford Union if the final candidates are all from similar backgrounds – unlike Mr Javid who was educated at a comprehensive school.

“I may have been culture secretary but I don’t have the oratory of Cicero, it’s less Homer’s Iliad and more Homer Simpson. But I try my best to connect and I think it’s very important as a modern Conservative Party that we reach out to those modern audiences,” he told Today.

And he said: “If we end up in a situation where the final two, three, four even are people from similar backgrounds with similar life experiences and it will look like a debate at the Oxford Union and I just don’t think that’s healthy for the Tory Party.”

“And so I think up to a point Rory can attract that support but it’s not going to get us any further.”

Mr Stewart then tweeted: “I’m sure Sajid didn’t mean that. He knows how fiercely and passionately we have both campaigned to get the withdrawal agreement through – and how although I – like he – voted Remain, we have fought together sincerely as fellow Cabinet Ministers for a moderate and pragmatic Brexit.”