(Bloomberg) — Follow @Brexit on Twitter, join our Facebook group and sign up to our Brexit Bulletin.Front-runner Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are facing Conservative party members for the first time since making it to a two-man runoff to succeed U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May. Grass-roots Tories quizzed the two candidates on Saturday, kicking off a nationwide series of hustings, or political roadshows, before party members pick the winner in a postal ballot in July.Key Developments:When Conservative members of Parliament decided on the final two, Johnson won 160 votes, Hunt was second with 77 votes.Johnson faces question over altercation with girlfriend Carrie SymondsTory activists question candidates in Birmingham, EnglandA Brexit Deal Should be the Goal, Hunt Says (5:10 p.m.)Hunt says he’d focus on the so-called Irish border backstop during negotiations with the European Union. Talks are “not going to be easy” but “it’s not impossible either,” because a deal is in both sides’ interests, he tells the audience. He swipes at Johnson, saying “a responsible prime minister should aim for a deal.”Hunt Warns of Brexit Disaster With ‘Wrong Person’ (4:45 p.m.)Now it’s Hunt’s turn. He presents himself as a safer choice to negotiate with the European Union. “If we send the wrong person, catastrophe awaits,” he says. “If we send the wrong person, there will be no negotiation, no trust, possibly no deal and maybe no Brexit if Parliament stops it.” Earlier, Johnson said all a negotiator needs is “the right energy and the right commitment.’’Johnson on Getting Tory Unity: ‘Let’s See’ (4:30 p.m.)Asked if he could unite the divided Conservative Party, some of whose members of Parliament are threatening to bring down the government rather than back a no-deal Brexit, Johnson replied “Let’s see.” He predicted that when it came to a choice, Tory MPs would put the party first rather than risk losing an election.Johnson Restrains Criticism of Heathrow Runway (4:10 p.m.)Johnson waters down his opposition to a third runway at Heathrow airport, saying he doesn’t want to stand in the way of national infrastructure projects. While he once promised to lie down to stop the bulldozers, on Saturday he simply said he’s “concerned” whether noise and air-quality obligations would be met. Johnson said, if elected, he’d “review” the business case for a planned high-speed, north-south rail link in England, known as HS2.Johnson Contradicts BOE’s Carney on No-Deal Tariffs (4 p.m.)Johnson contradicts Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, who argued Friday the U.K. can’t avoid tariffs with the European Union if it leaves the bloc without an agreement. Johnson insists countries can act on a bilateral basis. He also says he’d “retain creative ambiguity” over the billions of pounds the U.K. owes the EU to help focus negotiators’ mind in Brexit talks.Johnson Declines to Offer Gove a Cabinet Job (3:50 p.m.)Asked if he would offer rival Michael Gove a Cabinet job if he becomes premier, Johnson declines to answer. Gove was beaten into third place by Hunt in the ballots by Tory members of Parliament. Johnson and Gove have had a difficult relationship since Gove pledged to back Johnson for leader in 2016, then changed his mind and ran himself, effectively ending Johnson’s chances.Johnson Dodges Repeatedly on His Domestic Life (3:50 p.m.)Johnson, questioned by journalist Iain Dale, was asked several times whether the police being called to his partner’s flat meant he was fit to become prime minister. Johnson dodges, saying: “Most people would rather judge my ambition and character by my program.” Dale was booed by Tory audience members, who shouted for him to move on.Johnson: U.K. Must Be Ready for No-Deal Brexit (3:35 p.m.)Johnson speaks first, arriving to whoops and cheers from supporters. He immediately launches into how he’ll deliver Britain’s exit from the European Union, saying “I am the right man to unleash on that project” and that the U.K. “must be prepared to come out on WTO terms.”Tories Plot Against a Possible Johnson-Led No-Deal BrexitMust read: When Boris Johnson Talks Brexit, MPs Hear What They Want to HearJohnson’s Backers Eye Early U.K. Election, Despite Brexit CrisisTo contact the reporter on this story: Kitty Donaldson in London at [email protected] contact the editors responsible for this story: Tony Czuczka at [email protected];Tim Ross at [email protected] more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
