THE two politicians vying to become the UK's next Prime Minister brought their campaign to Carlisle today - and both vowed to resolve the UK's Brexit paralysis.

In a packed function room at Carlisle Race Course, seating more than 400 Conservative Party members, leadership candidates Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt each spoke for about an hour, outlining their vision for delivering on the results of the referendum of 2016 and running the country after Brexit.

Despite markedly differing styles of oratory, both MPs were united in their view that a no-deal Brexit - while not desirable - must remain on the table as an option in future talks to officials in Brussels.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt stressed his background as an entrepreneur, saying that and his political experience in cabinet have equipped him to go back to Europe and thrash out a deal that can command support in the House of Commons.

He told his audience: "We are in a serious situation.

"Get things wrong, there could be no Conservative Government, no Brexit, and maybe even no Conservative Party.

"Get things right, and and we can deliver Brexit, unite our party, uncork the amazing potential of our country and send Jeremy Corbyn packing. That's what we're going to do.

"Now I, if you choose me, I will be our first prime minister who has a background as an entrepreneur."

He said the first rule of any entrepreneur or negotiator was retaining the willingness to walk away if you can't get what you want; and the second rule is being able to figure out what the other side are going to do. The quickest and safest way to leave the EU, he said, was to send somebody to Brussels who can negotiate a deal which can get through Parliament. "And that's what I'm going to do," he said.

Boris Johnson's speech at times echoed the style of Winston Churchill.

He pointed to the flagging support of the Conservatives in recent opinion polls.

"It is also true," he said, "that we have two other parties - the Liberal Democrats and the Brexit Party - that are prospering as a result of lack of trust in the two main parties and particularly in the governing party; and that's why people have slightly got their heads down. But I am here to tell you this afternoon that the hour is darkest before dawn.

"We are going to turn this thing round and we're going to win."

Mr Johnson spelled out three reasons why he would win. "The first thing we are going to do," he began, "is come out of the EU on October 31."

After pausing to acknowledge the loud applause, the MP said the UK would offer the 3.2m EU nationals in the UK the legal protection they deserve - something that should have been guaranteed two years ago; and the UK would also take its EU membership bill of £39b and put it in "a sense of creative ambiguity" and keep it there until EU officials have given us good answers about a way forward.

Referring to the issues of the Irish backstop, and the need for tariff-free and frictionless trade with Europe post-Brexit, Mr Johnson said these problems were "eminently solvable."

He added: "We solve those problems where they logically belong in the context of the free trade deal that we will do after come out on October 31."

To concentrate the minds of the EU negotiators in Brussels, the UK should prepare to come out of the EU on October 31, he said. Before the hustings got underway, a majority of party members seemed to be backing Boris Johnson.

Typical of the comments was that from chartered accountant and hobby farmer Andy Saunders.

"I think he's the person who can enthuse not only the Conservative Party but also the country," said Mr Saunders.

"I think he can energise us; I think he's got the solutions and he can cut through what needs to be cut through to get Brexit done by October 31; then we can move on to all the other problems that need to be solved."

Mr Saunders referred to Johnson's record as Mayor London, saying that he had built a good team to enact policies.

"He was a figurehead and he provided the leadership and I'm sure he can do that for the country."

Mr Saunders said the former foreign secretary could rise above his reputation for fun and frivolity and become a statesman.

"When he was Mayor of London you saw the fun Boris but in reality what happened on the ground was that you saw the hard-working Boris; the Boris who can achieve things and I think he can do that for the country...

"Every time you hear him speak you come out with a smile on your face, and thinking that Britain is great again; that there are opportunities and you're energised and enthused.

"If he can do that with the cabinet and with the civil service we can achieve great things as a country."