Boris Johnson to slug it out with Tory leadership rivals for the support of Brexit moderates
BORIS Johnson and other leadership contenders will slug it out for the support of 60 ‘One Nation’ Tory MPs next week.
The Sun can reveal all 11 leadership competitors have been summoned to make a 25 minute pitch to the group – which includes senior Tories such as Amber Rudd and Nicky Morgan.
Two TV presenters have been approached to act as an independent moderator in the sessions next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Insiders said the MPs wanted to “zero in” on the leadership candidates approach to the Brexit talks.
A source close to Amber Rudd said: “We want to use the hustings to really unpick what the candidate’s solutions are in terms of addressing the Brexit impasse.
“Nearly all of the candidates agree we want to do a deal.
“So we want to hear what their solution is.”
‘Moderate’ Tories formed the The One Nation grouping at the end of March – with the aim of stopping the Conservatives from lurching further to the right.
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It was the brainchild of Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, ex-Cabinet Ministers Damian Green and Nicky Morgan, and stalwart Nicholas Soames.
Insiders on Wednesday said the group was unlikely to throw its entire weight behind one candidate. Ms Morgan is widely expected to back Michael Gove while Mr Soames is backing Rory Stewart.
In a ‘manifesto’ two weeks ago, the One Nation group said the next Prime Minister must honour the result of the referendum. But they added: “They must do so in a way that unites the 52 per cent and the 48 per cent.”
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