Steve Baker says – eurosceptic MPs must consolidate behind one candidate.

Tory MP and former Brexit minister Steve Baker has called last night’s dismal results at the European elections for his party a “grave concern”. The results – which saw the Conservatives lose all but three MEPs – was the worst for the major political party in its electoral history. Nigel Farage’s Brexit party, which was only founded six weeks ago, humiliated the Conservatives in their rural heartlands.

Baker has called last night’s dismal results at the European elections for his party “grave” (Image: GETTY; BBC)

Mr Baker, who serves as deputy chairman of the European Research Group, called on his party colleagues to stop “breaking promises” to the British people.

He warned that the Conservatives faced complete “obliteration” if the the UK did not leave the EU now.

Speaking to BBC News, Mr Baker said: “This is the worst result we have ever had in the history of the Conservative party.

“It is a grave time for our party and our country. I’m not surprised that it as bad as it is.

It is a grave time for our party and our country. I’m not surprised that it as bad as it is

Steve Baker

“You just can’t break promises you’ve made like this and expect to go unpunished.”

The election results, released overnight, saw Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party top the polls with 32 percent of the vote.

The pro-EU Lib Dems also made gains, taking second place with 20 percent.

The Brexiteer MP also attacked leading members of his party, including the chancellor Philip Hammond and international development secretary Rory Stewart, after they both refused to rule out voting no confidence in the government if it pursued a no-deal Brexit.

Mr Baker explained: “For Conservative MPs we have got to stay in power and that means speaking extremely seriously about what they say in media appearances.

“And not for example threatening to bring down the government over something which parliament has already legislated for and which was until recently government policy.

“At this point we will see the debate crystallising between those who are willing to take us out, even if that means no withdrawal agreement and going on to WTO terms, versus those who are flirting with revoke or indefinite extension which would be a miserable place for our country.”

He added he had still not ruled out standing for the leadership of the party but said he was “very conscious that we don’t want an enormous plethora of Eurosceptic candidates dividing the vote in parliament”.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1132516/Brexit-News-Steve-Baker-Tory-Party-Nigel-Farage