Tobias Ellwood launched a scathing attack on the anti-EU European Research Group (ERG), claiming the organisation of eurosceptic Tory MPs "are not my party." The Defence Minister urged colleagues to fall in line with Theresa May's Brexit withdrawal agreement instead of "hampering" her attempts to secure a divorce deal with the European Union. Speaking to BBC Any Question?, Mr Ellwood said: "If we don’t support the Prime Minister and get this across the line, you’re probably going to move towards an ever softer Brexit or possibly not leaving the European Union at all.
"May I air a bit of frustration with the discussion about the ERG? They are not my party."
The Bournemouth East MP claimed pressure from the ERG has forced the Tory MPs to embark on a "battle for the soul of the Conservative Party".
He continued: "Those familiar with that wonderful musical Hamilton will be aware of a character, Aaron Burr. He is one of the Founding Fathers, a bit of a worrying character because he’s not as genuine as some of the others. His approach was ‘talk less, smile more, don’t let them know what you’re fighting for.’
"I’m not sure what the ERG are fighting for. They seem to want in parallel to the Brexit debate also a battle for the soul of the Conservative Party. They’re acting as if a party within the party."
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