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Theres May was told to put jobs first in Brexit talks today as a trio of Tory ex-ministers said Parliament and the Cabinet must force her hand if necessary.

In a blistering counter-attack against Right-wingers pushing the Prime Minister towards a no-deal departure from the European Union, the three senior Conservatives weighed in for a soft-Brexit agreement to protect trade and growth.

Former education secretary Nicky Morgan urged the Prime Minister to show “big and bold” leadership against the hard-Brexiteers or else the full Cabinet should “take the reins”.

Ex-transport minister Stephen Hammond said there was enough support in Parliament to make a European Free Trade Association-style arrangement with the EU a “probable route forward”.

Former local government minister Bob Neill said Parliament would vote for a “pragmatic Brexit” that made the economy the priority.

As ministers gathered at No 10 this morning, Home Secretary Amber Rudd was asked by a reporter if Mrs May was in charge. She replied: “Absolutely.” Environment Secretary Michael Gove chuckled and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson smiled when asked: “Are you a swivel-eyed Brexiteer?”

However, after a week of Tory infighting Mrs May’s ability to hold the line was being questioned.

Ms Morgan said the Cabinet had a “duty” to seize control of the debate if the Prime Minister did not lay down a vision for leaving the EU.

She told the Standard: “We are facing a critical nine months for our country in delivering Brexit. If the Prime Minister can’t drive the strategy then the Cabinet need to take the reins, do it for her and think big and bold — the country deserves nothing less.”

So-called soft-Brexiteers have a majority in the Cabinet and in Parliament but Mrs May has devolved decision-making to a cabinet committee, where there are an equal number of hard and soft-Brexiteers, creating an apparent impasse. Dangers to her position have increased amid frustration among hard-Brexiteers who fear she is being forced into Brino — Brexit In Name Only.

Writing in the Standard, Mr Hammond expressed dismay that Mrs May has postponed a speech setting out her plans despite an urgent need for “clarity”. He wrote: “One of the Conservative Party’s strengths is that at time of national crisis it has always had the ability to lead, put aside ideology, embrace pragmatism and speak for the national interest. The Prime Minister should take the opportunity of her speech to show it.”

Countering claims by hard-Brexiteers that most Tories would prefer no deal, Mr Hammond said a majority of “colleagues” would support staying in the European Free Trade Association (Efta). “Reality is now setting in — and that reality is that no deal would be a bad deal,” he said. Efta membership means participation in the European single market of 500 million people, but without the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

Mr Hammond, the Tories’ former vice-chairman for London, said the party would be hammered in the local elections in the capital in May if it fails to give clear direction on Brexit. “The risk is that all our efforts will be overshadowed by Brexit and that the result will be seen as a verdict on the progress of negotiations,” he said. “If we don’t change, that will happen.”

Mr Neill, who chairs the justice select committee, said: “It’s very clear that there are the numbers in Parliament for a pragmatic Brexit that puts Britain’s business, economic prosperity and jobs first. I believe the Prime Minister recognises that and we should all back her in delivering that.”

Speculation about a possible leadership challenge to Mrs May increased after a weekend of infighting and rumours that MPs were ready to force a confidence vote.

But International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, a Brexit supporter, warned the rebels: “They would be foolish to do anything to destabilise the Government and the Prime Minister.”

Brexiteer Nigel Evans accused the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of rocking the boat, and demanded: “Socks come in pairs — and Boris Johnson and Philip Hammond should each put one in their mouths.”

Ex-transport minister Robert Goodwill called for “loyalty and unity”, adding: “There is a lot more about personalities and personal ambition than ambition for the country.” Ex-business minister Anna Soubry tweeted: “Stand up to wreckers, PM. A small group of ideologically driven hard-Brexiteers must not be allowed to ruin UK.” Ex-education secretary Justine Greening urged MPs to rally behind Mrs May in her “almost impossible” task of negotiating Brexit.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said Mrs May had successfully negotiated phase one of the Brexit talks and had set out “a clear vision” in her keynote speeches. “We are now moving forward to agreeing an implementation period,” he said. No 10 would not confirm or deny reports that she might agree a significantly longer implementation period, saying it would be “around two years”.

Former Cabinet minister John Redwood called for the implementation period to be dropped to allow the UK to set its own policies on borders, fishing and agriculture. The Brexiteer said: “To get on with improving these we do not want a two-year so-called transitional period if that means we can’t take control of our laws, borders and money.”