John Major breaks Tory ranks as he urges young voters to stop Boris Johnson's Brexit plan

  • EXCLUSIVE
  • Former Prime Minister urges Britain to 'vote with your head and your heart'

Sir John Major will tonight call on millions of young people to use their votes to derail Boris Johnson’s Brexit plans in an extraordinary general election intervention.

The former Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader will break ranks with the party he once dominated with a plea to Britain’s youth to “choose the future you believe in”.

“Tribal loyalty has its place,” he says in a message that will infuriate Downing Street. “But sometimes you need to vote with your head and your heart. For your country and your future. This is such a time.”

His call comes in a video message for tonight’s Final Say campaign rally which will be held in London under the banner “Stop The Brexit Landslide”.

Sir John, who remains one of the most popular Conservative figures, endorses three rebel former Tories standing against their old party and praises fellow ex-Labour premier Tony Blair and Lord Heseltine, both backers of a second referendum.

Sir John Major says too much is at stake to vote on tribal lines
Chris Ratcliffe/PA

In the video Sir John is careful not to breach party rules by directly urging people to vote against the Conservatives. But his words, which have been seen by the Standard, leave no doubt about where he stands.

He argues too much is stake to vote on tribal lines. “Vote for the candidate who you believe will best represent your own views and aspirations in Parliament,” he says.

Sir John’s plea to young people is significant because studies show over 70 per cent of 18-24 year-olds backed Remain in 2016.

“Your vote is absolutely crucial – for you have the longest lease on our country’s future, and our place in the wider world,” says Sir John.

He appealed for a high turnout of young people. “Don’t allow your future to be shaped by others, with no input from yourselves,” he says. “You – every single one of you – can make a difference to the election result.

Boris Johnson in north London where he made 'get Brexit done' doughnuts
PA

“So don’t hang back. Don’t wake up on Friday, 13 December and regret not making a choice. To vote means to choose.”

Tens of thousands of first-time voters next week were too young to take part in the 2016 referendum. But turnout was lower, at around 64 per cent, among young people in any case. Nine in 10 over-65s turned out in 2016 and the roughly divided 60-40 for Leave.

Sir John says he would vote. if he could, for the three Independent Conservatives standing on Thursday: former Justice Secretary David Gauke, former Attorney General Dominic Grieve and former deputy chief whip Ann Milton.

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“Without such talent on its benches, Parliament will be the poorer, which is why – if I were resident in any one of their constituencies – they would have my vote,” says Sir John.

All three are calling for a so-called People’s Vote that would give the public a choice between Mr Johnson’s Brexit plans and remaining in the European Union.

All official Conservative candidates have pledged to back Mr Johnson’s withdrawal deal, while other major parties, including Labour, the Lib Dems and the SNP back a second referendum.