Former Tory cabinet minister David Gauke says a Tory majority would be bad for Britain

It's still only the beginning of election campaigning but we’ve already seen lots of politicians breaking with party ranks.

Several former Labour politicians have indicated that they’re planning to vote for Boris Johnson over Jeremy Corbyn, including Ian Austin and John Woodcock.

But there’s also former Tories who say that they can’t support Boris Johnson. Former Tory MPs Matthew Parris and Nick Boles have urged voters to back the Lib Dem’s.

MORE: Kay Burley couldn’t stop herself from ruthlessly mocking a Tory MP on live TV

Now former Tory minister David Gauke – who had the whip removed for refusing to back a no-deal Brexit – has stated that he’s running as an independent candidate at the General Election. Kicking off his campaign, he said to Sky’s Kay Burley that a Tory majority would be a bad thing for Britain.

On the Tory support for a hard Brexit, he said:

I think it is reckless I think it is irresponsible. I think a Conservative majority – and I really regret having to say this – will pursue policies that are going to be detrimental to a large number of people’s jobs and livelihoods.

The former Justice Secretary reiterated this sentiment on Twitter, where he announced his intention to stand as an independent.

Reacting to the news, former Tory MP Rory Stewart agreed that the Conservative Party has become the “Brexit” party, given that many of the centre-right, pro-EU MPs have been “thrown out”.

More: Rory Stewart said his favourite London pub is Pret a Manger and people are confused