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However, speaking to Sky News this morning, he admitted that his fight for UK's membership in the European bloc was over.

Mr Clarke has been one of the most vocal supporters of the European Union in the Conservative Party for years.

Pro-EU social media users bemoaned a "terrible day for Remainers" after Tony Blair proposed restrictions on migrants and Mr Clarke's resignation to an "inevitable" EU withdrawal .

The Tory Europhile branded the possibility of staying inside the EU "completely hopeless" and urged the thousands who attended yesterday's anti-Brexit march to give up.

Clarke said it was crucial for the country to get the best possible access to the EU market

He said: "I'm pessimistic about staying in the EU. I think it's now inevitable we will leave."

It was "hopeless" to think the UK could stay in the EU, given the "mood of the country", he said, instead urging fellow Remainers to focus on post-Brexit Britain. It was crucial for the country to get the best possible access to the EU market, he said.

The former Chancellor explained: "What we need to do now is respect the practical consequences. What's our new relationship?

"Leaving the Single Market and the Customs Union doesn't simply mean we start putting new barriers between ourselves and the biggest single market, the main attraction for investment and so on - that, we can achieve.

"The idea that you jump off the cliff and put out your arms and soar out into the wide blue skies of yonder, with everybody in the world rushing to open up their markets to you - that's just rubbish."