Top Tory MP Lee Anderson has warned how Reform UK is a “bigger threat” to the Conservative Party than Labour – and could in fact help Sir Keir Starmer’s party win the next General Election.
Labour remains ahead of Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives in the opinion polls as the country gears up to go to the voting booths later this year. In recent months Reform UK has seen momentum also shift towards it, with the public warming to its policies and the party’s honorary president, Nigel Farage – fresh out of his third-place finish in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.
But speaking to GB News, Mr Anderson issued a stark warning to Reform UK HQ, telling them that its potential involvement in the next election could spell misery for the Conservatives – and lead to a Labour party victory, thus handing Sir Keir Starmer the keys to Number 10 Downing Street.
While lavishing praise on Mr Farage, Mr Anderson said that despite Reform UK not winning the byelections it had contested, it was still a “threat” in the polls.
He told the channel: “Reform UK are a bigger threat to the country than the Labour party. If Reform pick off a lot of Conservatives at the next election we will end up with a Labour Government. A Labour Government is the last thing I want because I love my country, I love my country to bits.
“And I am sure Nigel in his heart of hearts loves this country – in fact I know he does – but he runs the risk of losing a lot of Tory seats, seats like mine, to put some Labour Remainers, Remoaners, back in power.”
Mr Anderson added: “And you know what that means? It’s a back door entrance back into European Union but I will say this.
“I’m not saying Reform UK is a one man party, but he is the figurehead. He does a great job. But if they want to make any inroads then he has to stand.”
It is unclear if Mr Farage would be willing to put his name back on the ballot paper but reports show his popularity among voters had improved.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain after he finished third on ITV reality show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Mr Farage said you can “never say never” when it came to making a return to politics, adding that he “can’t predict right now what will happen”.
However, Mr Farage rejected any notion he could return to the Conservative Party – particularly under its current leader, Mr Sunak.
He added: “I am looking at a Conservative Government that is in total shambles, facing tomorrow effectively a confidence vote on an issue that affects every single living human being in our country, namely immigration on a level that never happened even during Tony Blair’s days.
“Rishi is a lame duck walking and the Conservative Party are headed for total defeat.”
