Politics

"Brexit itself was stupid stuff. Few people with a serious knowledge of the matter doubt it. It has raised barriers against the country’s closest neighbours and most important trade partners."

Chris Bryant said he was “irritated” by the government’s lack of progress to even enact “simple recommendations” that could curb the impact of lobbying in parliament.

The RCN's general secretary Pat Cullen has called on Steve Barclay to negotiate after he refused to discuss pay.

It comes as figures from the NHS show there are 10,582 FTE medical vacancies across England alone.

“If Reform UK get even ten per cent of the vote that could be catastrophic for me", one ex-minister said.

“The vote to leave the EU was the result of the Remainers’ appalling campaign", Guy Hands said.

"It will galvanise public opinion in every city, town, village and community the length and breadth of the country", Keith Brown said.

The party is braced for a growing exodus as opinion polls suggest the Conservatives face an almighty challenge to recover their popularity.

Liz Truss had described the deal with Japan as a "landmark moment for Britain" that would boost trade by billions of pounds.