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William Hague today urges Boris Johnson to seek a deal with the European Union that will keep trade “as seamless as possible” in the next phase of Brexit talks next year.

In an interview with the Evening Standard, the former Conservative leader warned against crashing out with no deal next December and said: “Well, it’s always going to be in Britain’s interests to be able to have trade as seamless as possible with our closest neighbours.”

He sounded sceptical that the critical talks, which European experts say must take several years, could be finished before the Prime Minister’s self-imposed deadline of December 2020.

“I wouldn’t want to forecast that 100 per cent,” said the former foreign secretary. “But the Prime Minister is very confident, so I, er, hope his confidence is well placed.”

Lord Hague spoke to the Standard while out campaigning for Conservative candidates in two of London’s critical marginals — Putney, where former Foreign Office official Will Sweet aims to defeat a Labour and Lib Dem challenge, and Battersea where local councillor Kim Caddy hopes to defeat Labour’s Marsha de Cordova.

“All these decisions [about Brexit] depend on the election going the right way,” he warned. “If the Conservatives do not win we will spend the whole of next year fighting another referendum, stirring up all those divisions again.”

Mr Johnson has said he will not let EU talks drag beyond 2020, even if it means leaving with no deal and resorting to World Trade Organisation terms.

Lord Hague, who led the fight to save the pound in the 2001 election, said: “Personally, I’ve not been in favour of no-deal Brexit.”

Asked if he would delay the deadline rather than risk crashing out, he hinted he would have more to say after the general election. “That’s a question journalists are paid to ask and people in politics do not answer during an election campaign,” he said.

General Election 2019 - In pictures 83 show all General Election 2019 - In pictures 1/83 Boris Johnson votes in Westminster with his dog Jeremy Selwyn 2/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, making reindeer hot chocolate pouches with pupils who are ministers in the school's cabinet, during a visit to Sandylands Community Primary School in Morecambe, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 3/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate for Edinburgh South Catriona MacDonald (right) during a visit to Digin Community Greengrocer in Edinburgh, on the last day of the General Election campaign trai PA 4/83 British opposition Liberal Democrats Party Leader Jo Swinson conducts an interview on a phone as she joins activists for a final day election rally in Guildford AP 5/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a freshly baked pie during a visit to the Red Olive in Derby, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 6/83 Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds a baby after speaking to supporters during a campaign event in Bolton AFP via Getty Images 7/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson loads a crate into a delivery van during a visit to Greenside Farm Business Park in Leeds, ahead of Thursday's General Election PA 8/83 Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate Kirsten Oswald take part in a knitting demonstration at the Ory Mil Getty Images 9/83 Boris Johnson holds a placard reading 'We'll have Brexit done' in a pop-culture inspired campaign video 10/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in Big Mel's Barbershop, Carmarthen having his beard trimmed, while on the General Election campaign trail in Wales PA 11/83 Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson playing tennis as she visits Shinfield Tennis Club, where she will discuss policies aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and tackling child obesity, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 12/83 Count Binface PA 13/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a warm up before the Hazel Grove United JFC vs Poynton Juniors girls soccer match, as he campaigns in Cheadle Hulme Reuters 14/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson uses a sewing machine during a visit to the John Smedley Mill, while election campaigning in Matlock, Derbyshire. PA 15/83 Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn poses for photos with supporters during a general election campaign rally in Birmingham, Britain Reuters 16/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his visit to the Grodzinski Bakery in Golders Green PA 17/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn serves students and teachers their school dinners at Bilton High School in Rugby, PA 18/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon plays with local children during a visit to the Jelly Tots & Cookies Play Cafe in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire PA 19/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempts to change a wheel of a Formula One car during a visit at Red Bull Racing while election campaigning PA 20/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson plays pool during a visit to Knights Youth Centre in London, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 21/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn eats chips in Whitby, while on the General Election campaign trail, wearing a jacket that has "for the many not the few" printed all over it PA 22/83 Boris Johnson on LBC Radio Jeremy Selwyn 23/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds some flowers as he meets supporters during a visit to Thurrock in Essex whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 24/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes a sip from a pint of Rattler cider as he visits Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm in Callestick, Cornwall AFP via Getty Images 25/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps make a chicken tikka masala during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow PA 26/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he enjoyed a cream tea before he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 27/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint in the Silkstone Inn, Barnsley, PA 28/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign traiL PA 29/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson arrives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, for some national canvassing during the General Election campaign PA 30/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, visits the Royal Welsh Showground, in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 31/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson on a cherry picker during a visit to an eco home building site whilst on the General Election campaign trail in Sheffield PA 32/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries his hand at bricklaying during a visit to the West Nottinghamshire College Construction Centre, in Ashfield PA 33/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon gives her party's candidate for North East Fife Stephen Gethins a haircut, during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife PA 34/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Health Secretary Matt Hancock during a visit to Bassetlaw District General Hospital in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 35/83 Labour Manifesto launch Jeremy Selwyn 36/83 Nigel Farage visits the Brook pie and mash shop in Dagenham Lucy Young 37/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife, whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 38/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to David Wilson Homes in Bedford while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 39/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to The Oatcake Boat owned by Kay Mundy, in Stoke-on-Trent, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 40/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Trumpington Park Primary School, in Cambridge, whilst campaigning for the General Electio PA 41/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts during a general election campaign visit to Perthshire Preserves in Stirling AFP via Getty Images 42/83 Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid during a visit to Nanaksar Gurdwara in Coventry while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 43/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Jimmy Egan's Boxing Academy at Wythenshawe, while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 44/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson eats a candy stick which reads "Back Boris" during a General Election campaign trail stop at Coronation Candy in Blackpool, AP 45/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to West Monkton CEVC Primary School in Bathpool, Taunton PA 46/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon (R) holds a baby as she campaigns with SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald AFP via Getty Images 47/83 Jo Swinson at Total Boxer Jeremy Selwyn 48/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a gift card with an image mocking him, during a General Election campaign trail stop in Wells AP 49/83 Nigel Farage holds a fish during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning PA 50/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Rosie the rabbit during a visit to a primary school in Taunton AFP via Getty Images 51/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage wears boxing gloves as he poses with British boxer Dereck Chisora, during his visit to Gator ABC Boxing Club in Ilford AFP via Getty Images 52/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries a scone in Bentley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, during General Election campaigning PA 53/83 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan practices with a sparing partner Tyler Brindle as he visits a community boxing gym in London Reuters 54/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to The Shed, a Climate Challenge community project at North Edinburgh Arts PA 55/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre in Glasgow PA 56/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock in Sheffield Getty Images 57/83 Brexit party leader Nigel Farage eats fish and chips from Whitehaven Fish Bar Takeaway Restaurant during a walkabout after attending an election campaign even Getty Images 58/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn laughs during a visit to the Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project, Sunny Bank Mills, The Spinning Mill in Leeds Getty Images 59/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson eats a marshmallow during a visit to Free Rangers Nursery while on the General Election campaign trail in Midsomer Norton PA 60/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn unveils the Labour battle bus while on the General Election campaign trail in Liverpool PA 61/83 Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson attends an election campaign event in Golders Green Getty Images 62/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries his hand at making an Antony Gormley inspired clay figure during an arts class whilst visiting the George Spencer Academy in Nottingham, while on the General Election campaign trail around the country PA 63/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon eats a cupcake during a visit to a bakery whilst on the election campaign trail in Alloa PA 64/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps quality control staff during a general election campaign visit to the Tayto Castle crisp factory in County Armagh, Northern Ireland Reuters 65/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during a visit to Bolsover Boxing Club near Chesterfield in Derbyshire PA 66/83 Britain's opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech during their election campaign event on Brexit in Harlow AP 67/83 Boris Johnson at Downing Street Jeremy Selwyn 68/83 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie (right) and party General Election campaign chairman Alex Cole-Hamilton on the General Election campaign trail in Blackhall, Edinburgh PA 69/83 Carrie Symonds shares a picture of Dilyn the dog ready for the General Election @carriesymonds 70/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a guitar as she visits Dalkeith Community Hub with Owen Thompson, SNP election candidate for Midlothian Getty Images 71/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street on route to Buckingham Palace ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General Election AP 72/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage addresses supporters at the Washington Central Hotel in Workington PA 73/83 Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice poses as he wears boxing gloves at a general election campaign event at Bolsover Boxing Club in Chesterfield Reuters 74/83 Jeremy Corbyn kisses Emily Thornbury's hand in Battersea Jeremy Selwyn 75/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson takes a selfie as she appears on BBCC's The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 76/83 Jeremy Corbyn prepares to launch the Labour Party's election campaign in south London AFP via Getty Images 77/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon helps to serve soup during a visit to the Lochside Community Centre in Dumfries, to meet voters and activists while on the General Election campaign. PA 78/83 Boris Johnson looks at old photographs of London with students at Abbots Green Primary Academy in Bury St Edmunds Getty Images 79/83 Nigel Farage on The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 80/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has a coffee in Cafe Gelato, Rutherglen PA 81/83 Jeremy Corbyn takes a selfie while on the General Election campaign trail in Milton Keynes PA 82/83 Boris Johnson as he leaves 10 Downing Street AFP via Getty Images 83/83 Larry the cat walks outside Downing Street Reuters 1/83 Boris Johnson votes in Westminster with his dog Jeremy Selwyn 2/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, making reindeer hot chocolate pouches with pupils who are ministers in the school's cabinet, during a visit to Sandylands Community Primary School in Morecambe, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 3/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate for Edinburgh South Catriona MacDonald (right) during a visit to Digin Community Greengrocer in Edinburgh, on the last day of the General Election campaign trai PA 4/83 British opposition Liberal Democrats Party Leader Jo Swinson conducts an interview on a phone as she joins activists for a final day election rally in Guildford AP 5/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a freshly baked pie during a visit to the Red Olive in Derby, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 6/83 Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds a baby after speaking to supporters during a campaign event in Bolton AFP via Getty Images 7/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson loads a crate into a delivery van during a visit to Greenside Farm Business Park in Leeds, ahead of Thursday's General Election PA 8/83 Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate Kirsten Oswald take part in a knitting demonstration at the Ory Mil Getty Images 9/83 Boris Johnson holds a placard reading 'We'll have Brexit done' in a pop-culture inspired campaign video 10/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in Big Mel's Barbershop, Carmarthen having his beard trimmed, while on the General Election campaign trail in Wales PA 11/83 Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson playing tennis as she visits Shinfield Tennis Club, where she will discuss policies aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and tackling child obesity, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 12/83 Count Binface PA 13/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a warm up before the Hazel Grove United JFC vs Poynton Juniors girls soccer match, as he campaigns in Cheadle Hulme Reuters 14/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson uses a sewing machine during a visit to the John Smedley Mill, while election campaigning in Matlock, Derbyshire. PA 15/83 Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn poses for photos with supporters during a general election campaign rally in Birmingham, Britain Reuters 16/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his visit to the Grodzinski Bakery in Golders Green PA 17/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn serves students and teachers their school dinners at Bilton High School in Rugby, PA 18/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon plays with local children during a visit to the Jelly Tots & Cookies Play Cafe in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire PA 19/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempts to change a wheel of a Formula One car during a visit at Red Bull Racing while election campaigning PA 20/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson plays pool during a visit to Knights Youth Centre in London, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 21/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn eats chips in Whitby, while on the General Election campaign trail, wearing a jacket that has "for the many not the few" printed all over it PA 22/83 Boris Johnson on LBC Radio Jeremy Selwyn 23/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds some flowers as he meets supporters during a visit to Thurrock in Essex whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 24/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes a sip from a pint of Rattler cider as he visits Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm in Callestick, Cornwall AFP via Getty Images 25/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps make a chicken tikka masala during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow PA 26/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he enjoyed a cream tea before he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 27/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint in the Silkstone Inn, Barnsley, PA 28/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign traiL PA 29/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson arrives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, for some national canvassing during the General Election campaign PA 30/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, visits the Royal Welsh Showground, in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 31/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson on a cherry picker during a visit to an eco home building site whilst on the General Election campaign trail in Sheffield PA 32/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries his hand at bricklaying during a visit to the West Nottinghamshire College Construction Centre, in Ashfield PA 33/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon gives her party's candidate for North East Fife Stephen Gethins a haircut, during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife PA 34/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Health Secretary Matt Hancock during a visit to Bassetlaw District General Hospital in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 35/83 Labour Manifesto launch Jeremy Selwyn 36/83 Nigel Farage visits the Brook pie and mash shop in Dagenham Lucy Young 37/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife, whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 38/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to David Wilson Homes in Bedford while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 39/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to The Oatcake Boat owned by Kay Mundy, in Stoke-on-Trent, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 40/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Trumpington Park Primary School, in Cambridge, whilst campaigning for the General Electio PA 41/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts during a general election campaign visit to Perthshire Preserves in Stirling AFP via Getty Images 42/83 Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid during a visit to Nanaksar Gurdwara in Coventry while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 43/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Jimmy Egan's Boxing Academy at Wythenshawe, while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 44/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson eats a candy stick which reads "Back Boris" during a General Election campaign trail stop at Coronation Candy in Blackpool, AP 45/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to West Monkton CEVC Primary School in Bathpool, Taunton PA 46/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon (R) holds a baby as she campaigns with SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald AFP via Getty Images 47/83 Jo Swinson at Total Boxer Jeremy Selwyn 48/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a gift card with an image mocking him, during a General Election campaign trail stop in Wells AP 49/83 Nigel Farage holds a fish during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning PA 50/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Rosie the rabbit during a visit to a primary school in Taunton AFP via Getty Images 51/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage wears boxing gloves as he poses with British boxer Dereck Chisora, during his visit to Gator ABC Boxing Club in Ilford AFP via Getty Images 52/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries a scone in Bentley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, during General Election campaigning PA 53/83 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan practices with a sparing partner Tyler Brindle as he visits a community boxing gym in London Reuters 54/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to The Shed, a Climate Challenge community project at North Edinburgh Arts PA 55/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre in Glasgow PA 56/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock in Sheffield Getty Images 57/83 Brexit party leader Nigel Farage eats fish and chips from Whitehaven Fish Bar Takeaway Restaurant during a walkabout after attending an election campaign even Getty Images 58/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn laughs during a visit to the Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project, Sunny Bank Mills, The Spinning Mill in Leeds Getty Images 59/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson eats a marshmallow during a visit to Free Rangers Nursery while on the General Election campaign trail in Midsomer Norton PA 60/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn unveils the Labour battle bus while on the General Election campaign trail in Liverpool PA 61/83 Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson attends an election campaign event in Golders Green Getty Images 62/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries his hand at making an Antony Gormley inspired clay figure during an arts class whilst visiting the George Spencer Academy in Nottingham, while on the General Election campaign trail around the country PA 63/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon eats a cupcake during a visit to a bakery whilst on the election campaign trail in Alloa PA 64/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps quality control staff during a general election campaign visit to the Tayto Castle crisp factory in County Armagh, Northern Ireland Reuters 65/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during a visit to Bolsover Boxing Club near Chesterfield in Derbyshire PA 66/83 Britain's opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech during their election campaign event on Brexit in Harlow AP 67/83 Boris Johnson at Downing Street Jeremy Selwyn 68/83 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie (right) and party General Election campaign chairman Alex Cole-Hamilton on the General Election campaign trail in Blackhall, Edinburgh PA 69/83 Carrie Symonds shares a picture of Dilyn the dog ready for the General Election @carriesymonds 70/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a guitar as she visits Dalkeith Community Hub with Owen Thompson, SNP election candidate for Midlothian Getty Images 71/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street on route to Buckingham Palace ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General Election AP 72/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage addresses supporters at the Washington Central Hotel in Workington PA 73/83 Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice poses as he wears boxing gloves at a general election campaign event at Bolsover Boxing Club in Chesterfield Reuters 74/83 Jeremy Corbyn kisses Emily Thornbury's hand in Battersea Jeremy Selwyn 75/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson takes a selfie as she appears on BBCC's The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 76/83 Jeremy Corbyn prepares to launch the Labour Party's election campaign in south London AFP via Getty Images 77/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon helps to serve soup during a visit to the Lochside Community Centre in Dumfries, to meet voters and activists while on the General Election campaign. PA 78/83 Boris Johnson looks at old photographs of London with students at Abbots Green Primary Academy in Bury St Edmunds Getty Images 79/83 Nigel Farage on The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 80/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has a coffee in Cafe Gelato, Rutherglen PA 81/83 Jeremy Corbyn takes a selfie while on the General Election campaign trail in Milton Keynes PA 82/83 Boris Johnson as he leaves 10 Downing Street AFP via Getty Images 83/83 Larry the cat walks outside Downing Street Reuters

Since stepping down from the House of Commons after 26 years, Lord Hague has thrown himself into business and charitable work — and found a passion for gardening.

He revealed he has planted 6,000 trees on a 39-acre garden surrounding his home in Wales, admitting that it had become an “obsession”. He added: “I’m trying to create a beautiful place, I’m not trying to have a special collection or somewhere featured on a map of the world.”

He has consulted Lord Heseltine, an arboreal expert, but does not hesitate to condemn his fellow peer for campaigning against the Conservatives in some seats because of Brexit.

“I think that is quite wrong,” he said. “We have our common passion for trees but not for what the election result should be. It is wrong because it gives the false impression that the Conservative Party has become Right-wing.

The Conservative manifesto at this election is actually quite similar to the Labour manifesto [of Tony Blair] when I was Tory leader... ‘do not raise the main rates of tax and spend more on the NHS’.”

Was the Conservative Party in danger of promising too much new spending? “It’s not at that point now,” said Lord Hague. “It will have to be careful in the coming years to remain fiscally conservative.”

Asked if he would expel Lord Heseltine, he said: “No, I wouldn’t bother. I don’t believe in making martyrs.”

Should there be a reshuffle after the election? “I’m not going to give public advice.” Nodding at Mr Sweet and Ms Caddy, he added: “There’s a lot of good talent on the way up.”