At a hustings for Conservative MPs in the Commons, the Health Secretary warned Britain could end up with “the first anti-Semitic leader of a Western nation since the Second World War” if Labour wins the next election. He said the Tories had to “get it right” when choosing Theresa May’s successor to stop the nightmare of a government led by hard-Left Mr Corbyn coming true. The Labour leader has previously been accused of failing to tackle anti-Semitic behaviour within the party’s ranks. Mr Hancock’s comments drew a furious response from the Opposition. A Labour source said: “This baseless political attack rings hollow from a minister in a party that has supported governments that actively promote anti-Semitic policies in Hungary and Poland, and has spent the week wooing Trump – the man who refused to condemn neo-fascists in Charlottesville who chanted, ‘Jews will not replace us’.

“Numerous candidates in the Conservative leadership contest have been accused of racism, Islamophobia, homophobia and misogyny, one of whom may be the next prime minister.”

Mr Hancock also told the packed hustings meeting, set up by the One Nation group of Tory MPs, that he was the only leadership candidate with a “credible plan” for delivering Brexit.

But his rival Dominic Raab said the UK would have “zero credibility” on the world stage if it failed to leave the EU by October 31.

Making his pitch to be the next Tory leader, the former Brexit secretary said: “I have got six years’ negotiating experience in the Foreign Office. As Brexit secretary, I looked our EU opposite numbers in the eyes.

“I know the strengths but also the weaknesses of their positions – and that’s why we don’t just need a conviction Brexiteer.

“We need someone who is resolute, but who can navigate the rocky path ahead and get Brexit delivered.”

Michael Gove, another leading figure in the race, told the meeting he wanted the UK to quit the EU by October 31 but was prepared to agree a delay of “a few weeks or a couple of months” to finalise a deal if necessary.

The Environment Secretary also said that Brexiteer Tories on the European Research Group of MPs would be invited to advise on the Government negotiations if he became prime minister.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told how his business background would help him negotiate a new deal.

The leadership hopeful added: “We will be destroyed as a party if we don’t deliver Brexit.”

Nominations for the contest open on Monday, with the first round of voting due the following Thursday.

Source: Read Full Article