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Dominic Raab says Theresa May can no longer “lead us forward”, warning fellow Tories that her Brexit strategy is bringing a Jeremy Corbyn government closer.
The former Brexit secretary increased pressure on the prime minister to go, despite her winning last night’s vote of no confidence among Conservative MPs.
Mr Raab confirmed he had voted to topple Ms May, saying: “I didn’t think her position had been tenable.”
And he added: “My biggest fear now is that, if she continues in place, we have a greater risk of a Jeremy Corbyn government.
“We will have to back her as best we can, but the problem is that - both in relation to Brexit and the wider sustainability of the government, given likelihood of any changes to the deal and given the likely scale of opposition – it looks very difficult to see how this prime minister can lead us forward.”
The comments mark out Mr Raab – a likely future leadership contender – as the biggest hitter to say Ms May’s position remains in peril.
They underscored how the Tory civil war over Brexit is still raging, despite the hopes of May loyalists that her victory in the no-confidence vote would calm anger.
"Brexit betrayal" march in LondonShow all 43 1 /43"Brexit betrayal" march in London "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds an anti-BBC sign
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator holds a sign in the picket line
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester carrying a noose at the "Brexit betrayal" march. The man carrying it told a reporter: "That's what the traitor May deserves."
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"Brexit betrayal" march in London Pro-brexit supporters hold a sign opposed to Nigel Farage
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London Protesters carry a defaced British flag on the march
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London Tommy Robinson addresses a rally after taking part in a Brexit 'betrayal' march in central London
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"Brexit betrayal" march in London Police officers attempts to keep rival protesters from clashing at the Brexit 'betrayal' march in London
Victoria Jones/PA
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds an anti-Theresa May sign
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator and his dog
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator at the protest
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit sign at the rally
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London Pro-brexit demonstrators endorse UKIP
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"Brexit betrayal" march in London A Brexit 'betrayal' march protester wearing a Make Britain Great Again hat in London on 9 December 2018
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"Brexit betrayal" march in London Brexit 'betrayal' marchers gathering on Park Lane ahead of a protest
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"Brexit betrayal" march in London The "Brexit Betrayal" march passes through Central London
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"Brexit betrayal" march in London Tommy Robinson tells protesters to join Ukip via their mobile phones on stage next to leader Gerard Batten (right) at the Brexit 'betrayal' march
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"Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester speaks thorugh a megaphone on the march
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator walks in the picket line
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit anti-May sign at the rally
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester carries a Union Jack on the march
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"Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator wrapped in the Union Jack
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit anti-May sign at the rally
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London Pro brexit demonstrators move through Central London
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator marches with sign
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator holds a rude sign in the rally
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London The march passes down Victoria Street near Parliament
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A festive protester marches near Parliament
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds a mock noose as the march passes down Victoria Street towards Parliament
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester wrapped in the Union Jack marches down Victoria Street towards Parliament
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester makes some noise on the march
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester dressed as a dinosaur holds a sign rallying against "Davocracy" - in reference to the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds a pro-brexit sign on the march
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London The march approaches parliament
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"Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester distributes pro-brexit lapel badges
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A demonstrator wears an anti-EU poster and holds an anti-BBC sign
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A smoke bomb is deployed in Parliament Square as the march comes across the counter-demonstration
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London A flag bearing the Arms of Plantagenet flies in theprot
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London Protesters on the Brexit 'betrayal' march in London on 9 December 2018
Angela Christofilou/ The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London Protesters on the Brexit 'betrayal' march in London on 9 December 2018
Angela Christofilou/ The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London Brexit 'betrayal' marchers gathering on Park Lane ahead of a protest on 9 December 2018
Angela Christofilou/ The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London Brexit 'betrayal' marchers gathering on Park Lane ahead of a protest on 9 December 2018
Angela Christofilou/ The Independent
"Brexit betrayal" march in London
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
Damian Green , the prime minister’s former deputy, said last night: “This [the Brexit row] has been all about accepting a democratic result.
“I hope that those who voted against the prime minister will accept this democratic vote.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg , the chairman of the hard Brexit-supporting European Research Group , said it was “not impossible” that Ms May might change her mind and resign.
“You may remember that Margaret Thatcher said 'We fight on, we fight to win,” he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
“Nobody was tougher than Mrs Thatcher, and the next day she resigned. So it's not impossible.”
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