Launching his bid to be the next Conservative leader and prime minister, Rory Stewart said the UK faced a choice of “two different paths”.
He told the audience in London there was a choice between fairy stories and “the energy of prudence, seriousness, realism that is going to make this country a better, happier place”.
He said it was unrealistic to believe the UK could get a new Brexit deal agreed by the EU and Parliament by the 31 October deadline.