Rory Stewart just might be the leader we need in the war against no-deal Brexit ‘by any means necessary’

Of all the potential opposition candidates in view, Stewart’s charm, brains, honesty and cross-party appeal establish him as best suited to head the hurried campaign

If for nothing else, credit Boris Johnson with this. Within three days of taking power, he did what Theresa May could not in three years, and provided absolute clarity on this point.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are at war. It will be as short and brutal as its aftermath will be endless and excruciating, and it will end in one of two ways: we will either leave the EU without a deal, or not at all.

The big question today doesn’t concern Johnson’s intent. Palpably, he isn’t bluffing. He knows the EU27 will not back down on the Irish backstop. He also knows he cannot get no deal past the Commons.