The next leader of the Conservative Party must be somebody who “believes in Brexit” and has the “passion” to drive it forwards, an MP in the running to replace Theresa May has said.

Former Cabinet minister Esther McVey said it is “essential” that Britain leaves the EU by the end of October, as she launched a political group aimed at winning over working-class voters to the Tories.

Ms McVey, who declared her ambition to be prime minister earlier this month, told the Blue Collar Conservatism event in Parliament that it is “not an easy time” to be a Tory activist.

“Our failure to deliver Brexit has left many feeling demoralised, with no obvious light at the end of the tunnel, and most of us know that ahead of us is still a bumpy ride,” she said.

The staunchly Leave-backing MP told the audience of parliamentarians and journalists that the next Tory leader “has to be a Brexiteer” who “believes in Brexit, delivers on our manifesto and even the manifesto of Labour”.

“It is key that we’ve got to get this delivered so we can get on to the domestic issues that affect so many people’s lives,” she said.

Asked if that included the likes of Jeremy Hunt, who supported Remain in the referendum but has since adopted an increasingly Eurosceptic position, Ms McVey said: “I said it has to be a Brexiteer who believes in Brexit.

“Whatever they voted they can tell you, but it has to be somebody who believes, who has got the passion to drive it forward.”

Ms McVey also said there should be “no more backsliding” regarding the UK’s exit, even if it means leaving without a deal on October 31.

She called for the amount spent on international aid to be returned to Labour levels in 2010 in a bid to win over working-class voters – with money shifted to support police and education.

“By doing this we will be doing more than just making up for shortfalls here and there – we will be providing transformative funds which communities will feel,” Ms McVey said.

She is the latest MP to set out her stall in the race to succeed Mrs May.

Blue Collar Conservatism
Former Cabinet minister Esther McVey (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Earlier, Health Secretary Matt Hancock refused to rule out a bid for the job, saying he had a “strong view about the sort of leader we need”.

He said the leader should put the Tories “four-square in the centre ground”, a view that will be echoed by big hitters at a meeting of the One Nation group of Tories in Parliament on Monday night.

Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has already confirmed he will stand in the race to replace Mrs May, which is due to officially begin within weeks.

Another potential contender, Home Secretary Sajid Javid, said “there won’t be a shortage of candidates” for the job but “whether I will be one of those, you’ll just have to wait and see”.

Sajid Javid speech on counter terrorism
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said ‘there won’t be a shortage of candidates’ for Theresa May’s job (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Prime Minister will set out the timetable for her exit and the leadership contest to succeed her after a crunch vote on the legislation for her Brexit deal in early June.

Defeat for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which is due in the Commons in the week beginning June 3, would hasten her exit from Number 10.

The One Nation group meeting in Parliament on Monday is expected to see Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd and ex-Cabinet ministers Damian Green and Nicky Morgan set out their vision for a centre-ground Tory Party.

The group is also viewed as an attempt to prevent a hard Brexiteer from steering the UK out of the EU without a deal.

Ms Rudd said the group stood for “the state having an active role in fighting injustices, in environmental standards and a belief in free enterprise”.

“There are no simple answers to complex questions,” she said.

“A pragmatic, compassionate centre-right has never been more vital.”