Former Ukip donor Arron Banks has vowed to join Reform UK and raise £10million for the party if Nigel Farage returns as leader.
Speculation is mounting that the ex-Ukip and Brexit Party leader could make a sensational political comeback.
Mr Banks, known as one of the “Bad Boys of Brexit”, said he had been speaking to “five of six” Tory donors who he believes could switch to Reform UK if Mr Farage returns.
The former Ukip donor, who helped bankroll Mr Farage’s Leave.EU campaign, also claimed a “couple” of Conservative MPs could defect.
Mr Banks told the Sunday Times: “One of the things about Nigel … is he can cut through to the Red Wall seats in a way that Richard Tice doesn’t.
“My view is we could raise £10million to kick Reform into the next league. That’s obviously a Nigel-dependent thing.”
Mr Banks said he had spoken to Conservative donors who were disillusioned with the party under Rishi Sunak.
He said: “A lot of Tory donors love [Farage], and why back the Tories at this point if you think they are going down in flames?
“I think their view is that if Rishi isn’t replaced post-haste, they could possibly get behind Reform.
“You are pushing at a half-open door. There are Tory donors who are absolutely furious.”
Reform UK was previously known as the Brexit Party and led by Mr Farage, who is now its honorary president.
Current leader Richard Tice is set to make a major announcement at a press conference on Wednesday.
It comes amid ongoing speculation over whether Mr Farage will make a fresh political bid following his stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! which saw him come third.
Speaking shortly after his stint in the Australian jungle, he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Rishi is a lame duck walking, the Conservative Party is headed for total defeat.
“As to whether I have a future in politics, I have no idea at this moment in time. But what I would say is never say never.
“And our country needs actually people at the top with some firm guidance as to where we’re going to go in the future.
“At the moment, we are rudderless and I don’t see a Labour Party with the strength to get us out of this mess.”
There have also been suggestions Mr Farage could rejoin the Conservative Party after quitting in 1992 over the signing of an EU treaty.
He has dismissed the prospect of returning under Mr Sunak’s leadership, but has not ruled out a potential future joint ticket with Boris Johnson.
