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Brexit hardliner Jacob Rees-Mogg today warned there “won’t be a Tory Party” if Britain doesn’t leave the EU on October 31.

Mr Rees-Mogg, chair of the European Research Group (ERG) of anti-EU Conservative MPs, issued the warning to leadership candidates Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt on an LBC phone-in.

Asked about the prospect of Mr Hunt - who like Theresa May campaigned for Remain in the 2016 referendum - as Prime Minister, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “There is a realistic prospect for the Conservative Party – as long as we leave on October 31. That is the key.

“I think Mr Hunt is a formidably able man. He is highly intelligent and was a very good secretary of state for health.

“But if the Tories don’t get us out on October 31, then there will be no Tory Party left to lead.”

“You see that 67 per cent of our vote went to the Brexit Party in the European elections, we’ve got to get those voters back and the only way we do that is by leaving. Could Jeremy Hunt do that? He could, but I think it’s more likely Boris would – which is why I’m backing him,” he said.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who is one of Mr Johnson’s highest profile supporters, added: “Boris put it very well. He said ‘kick the can and you kick the bucket’.”

Appearing on Good Morning Britain today, Mr Hunt pledged to leave by the EU’s Halloween deadline with or without a deal.

The foreign secretary declared: “If we get to October 31 and Parliament has not taken no-deal off the table, then with a heavy heart I would leave.”