The prospect of a no-deal Brexit has come closer as contenders for the Conservative leadership responded to their humiliation at the hands of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party by vowing to take the UK out of the European Union in October.

The Tories were plunged into a humiliating fifth place in the European parliament election with just 9 per cent of the vote, losing all but four of their 19 MEPs as a rampant Brexit Party won over millions of voters frustrated at Theresa May’s failure to leave as planned on 29 March.

Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said the results amounted to an “existential risk” for the party, warning that “unless we unite and deliver Brexit, the public will continue to punish us at the ballot box”.

Esther McVey, the only candidate openly campaigning for a no-deal withdrawal, said: “The message from our voters is clear – we must leave the EU on 31 October with a clean break, nothing else will wash now.

“People saying we need a Brexit policy to bring people together are misreading the situation. That is clearly not possible.”

Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Show all 9 1 /9 Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Boris Johnson Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has long been hopeful, he previously stood in the leadership contest that followed the Brexit vote and has at many times since been thought to be maneuvering himself towards the goal. He remains a darling of the party's right wing, particularly those in the ERG, and is the most popular choice among Tory voters but his leadership bid would be fiercely opposed by many MPs PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Michael Gove Environment secretary Michael Gove is another member who has long wanted to be leader. He has lately been known for rousing his party in the commons, his recent speeches on the Brexit deal and Labour's no confidence motion have overshadowed the Prime Minister's. He has been loyal to the Prime Minister, partly to shed his reputation as a backstabber who abandoned Boris Johnson to stand against him in the 2016 leadership election Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Dominic Raab Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has emerged as a favourite to be the Brexiteer candidate in a contest to succeed to Ms May. He displayed a grip on detail in his role as Brexit secretary. When asked recently if he would like to become prime minister he replied "never say never" Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Rory Stewart International development secretary Rory Stewart is pitching himself as the sensible candidate, promising to rule out both a second referendum and a no-deal Brexit. He was only recently promoted to the cabinet, previously serving as prisons minister, where he caught headlines with a pledge to resign if he could not reduce levels of violence within a year PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Esther McVey The former work and pensions secretary announced that she will be standing for the leadership when May leaves. McVey is the first to explicitly state that she intends to stand. She resigned from the cabinet in protest over May's Brexit deal AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Sajid Javid Home secretary Sajid Javid is said to have a plan in place for a leadership race. He made headlines over Christmas when he declared that people smuggling over the English channel was a "major incident" and more recently when he revoked the citizenship of ISIS bride Shamima Begum. Son of a bus driver, he wants the Conservatives to be seen as the party of social mobility PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Jeremy Hunt Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt was recently thought to be the favourite in the event of a leadership race as he could sell himself as the man to unite the party. Critics worry that his long stint as health secretary could return to haunt him at a general election. He has reportedly been holding meetings with Tory MPs over breakfast to promote his leadership PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Andrea Leadsom Following the Prime Minister's second defeat over her Brexit deal, Leader of the house Andrea Leadsom hosted a dinner party at which "leadership was the only topic of conversation", The Times heard. Leadsom ran against Theresa May in the 2016 leadership election before dropping out, allowing May to become Prime Minister AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Priti Patel Former international development secretary Priti Patel is thought to be positioning herself as a contender. One MP told The Independent "she knows she's from the right of the party, the part which is going to choose the next leader, so she's reminding everyone she's there." Patel left the government late in 2017 after it emerged that she had held undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials PA

Home secretary Sajid Javid, who entered the crowded race for the succession on Monday, was alone in stressing the need to “bridge divisions” in the hope of healing the scars of the long-running debate over EU membership.

In a social media video released under the hashtag #TeamSaj, he said he wanted to “rebuild trust, to find unity and to create new opportunities for our country”.

Ms May said it had been a “very disappointing” night for the Tories which had shown “the importance of finding a Brexit deal”. And she added: “I sincerely hope these results focus minds in parliament.”

The prime minister – who announced her resignation plans on Friday – had never wanted the UK to take part in the elections to the European parliament, three years after the referendum decision to quit the EU. She made only the briefest foray onto the election battlefield, failing to launch the campaign or produce a manifesto.

A triumphant Mr Farage, who demanded a place for his party in EU withdrawal negotiations, said he was ready to “replace” the Tories if they failed to deliver Brexit.

He dismissed suggestions that he would work with potential Tory leaders like Boris Johnson or Michael Gove who had previously voted for Ms May’s deal, asking: “Why would I work with a party I don’t trust? Why would I work with a party who have openly, wilfully lied to the British people?”

Nigel Farage says the Brexit Party could 'stun everybody' in a general election

Nigel Farage says the Brexit Party could ‘stun everybody’ in a general election

The leadership rivals were united in agreeing that the message from voters was that Brexit must be delivered.

Dominic Raab said: “Voters have sent us a very clear message: unless we get on and actually leave the EU they will rightly kick us out at the next election.”

And former leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom, who quit the cabinet over Brexit days before Ms May’s downfall, said: “It is now vital we find a way to decisively leave the EU.”

Mr Johnson said the Conservatives had been issued with a “final warning” by voters in the European elections and face a “permanent haemorrhage” of support if they do not deliver Brexit.

The leadership frontrunner said his party would be “dismissed from the job of running the country” if it did not respond to Sunday night’s humiliation by taking the UK out of the EU.

Daniel Hannan, one of only few Tory MEPs to retain their seats in the European parliament, insisted the Conservatives’ fortunes would be turned around and the Farage threat neutralised once the UK leaves.

“The appeal of a party called the Brexit Party will dry up very quickly once Brexit has happened,” he said.

Several candidates, including Mr Johnson and Mr Raab, have said they would be willing to let the UK crash out of the EU without a deal on 31 October.

Children’s minister Nadhim Zahawi, who is backing Mr Raab, said on Monday morning he was “not frightened” of that prospect.