A grave danger in this election is a split Brexit vote. The Brexit Party was created to deliver Brexit. It would be the most tragic irony imaginable if it ended up defeating the very purpose of its existence. Only the Conservative Party can deliver Brexit in this election. A vote for any other party is effectively a vote for Jeremy Corbyn.
That is because the Brexit Party cannot win a majority. It might not even be able to win a seat. But it is capable of splitting the leave vote so that Jeremy Corbyn gets into power.
The idea that the Brexit Party hurts Labour more than the Conservatives just is not true. Leading election expert Professor Richard Curtis has revealed that for every one Labour voter who switches to the Brexit Party, there are two Conservative voters who do so.
This election could see a critical swathe of seats fall to remainers due to the split vote. In two byelections this year – in Peterborough and in Brecon and Radnorshire – votes for the Brexit Party split the Leave vote, wiping out the chances of Leave candidates. That allowed Labour and the Lib Dems to slip through the middle and claim the victory.
Now across the country, the so-called Remain Alliance is plotting to limit the choice available to voters by withdrawing all but one candidate in favour of cancelling Brexit to give them a better chance of winning. It is in your power to prevent them producing another hung parliament that can deliver only more stagnation and delay.
Worse still, a split leave vote could allow Corbyn into power with Brexit forever scuppered. Make no mistake, Corbyn may be in favour of leaving the EU himself, but his fanatical party would never let us leave.
Back in March, I came under incredible pressure to support Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement. But I could not agree to trap the UK in a worse position than EU membership – with no vote, no voice and no means to escape except by permission.
Boris Johnson’s deal is different. He has swept the threat of the backstop and permanent vassalage away. The political declaration he negotiated makes it clear we will be a free country enjoying a trade deal with the EU, not bound to follow its rules slavishly.
Crucially, Boris would be handling the next stage of the negotiation – a leader filled with hope and optimism for our country. Just as he confounded his critics by securing his new withdrawal deal, he would succeed in future. A free trade deal with the EU would keep the price of goods low and benefit our economy, while not compromising our independence.
The alternative is Jeremy Corbyn, a man so indecisive he hasn’t yet chosen whether to back leave or remain.
Instead Corbyn claims he will negotiate a new Brexit-in-name-only deal – an idea already rubbished by Jean-Claude Juncker as ‘not realistic’ – which he then might or might not back once he’s agreed it.
The consequence for the country of more delay under Corbyn would be catastrophic. More uncertainty for businesses who need Brexit done so they can decide how to invest, grow and create new jobs. More frustration for the public who are sick of watching politicians messing around, prevaricating and procrastinating, and want Brexit done.
We need a new parliament with a good Conservative majority so we can get out of the EU and deliver a great future from a position of strength.
Only one party can deliver Brexit. Only one leader can take the country forward. Boris can and will deliver a great Brexit result if he is given the mandate by you. This deal offers a path to a great future and I am backing it.
A vote for the Brexit Party could snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Let’s seize the opportunity to get Brexit done. Let’s protect the Union. It’s now with Boris or it’s never.
• Steve Baker is Conservative MP for Wycombe
