Tory MPs say Reform Party risk handing the keys to No10 to Sir Keir Starmer
THE REFORM Party risks handing the keys of No10 to Sir Keir Starmer, Red Wall Tories have warned.
Rishi Sunak has been plunged into his worst crisis since becoming PM after his double by-election defeat in Tamworth and Mid Beds.
Pollsters say Labour were able to hoover up both seats because Conservative voters switched to Reform.
Tory vice chairman Lee Anderson said: “Reform UK and their leader Richard Tice are basically working for a Labour government.
“He wants to punish us but he will punish the country.”
Tory MP Marco Longhi said: “Reform are very clear they want a Labour government.
“They have taken the view that it is OK for the UK to suffer the consequences of socialism just in the hope that one day they achieve proportional representation and get a parliamentary seat.”
Mr Tice launched a series of angry barbs against the Conservative party as he ruled out an electoral pact with rightwing Tories.
He said: “We will stand everywhere.
“There is no difference between Labour and the Tories. They are two sides of the same socialist coin – high tax, high regulation and low growth.
“We will not rewards failure.”
Furious Tory rightwingers are demanding crisis talks with the PM and a shake-up of the No10 operation in the wake of the byelection bloodbath.
One said: “This is the worst it has ever been for Rishi.
“He needs to show he is committed to conservative values like bringing down migration and cultural values.
“And he needs to get people into his No10 operation who understand the Red Wall and the realignment.”
As the Tories descend into a fresh bout of civil war, Labour are cock-a-hoop at their double victory.
A shadow cabinet minister declared: “If the Tories don’t realise how bad this is for them, then they really are f**ked.”
Another said ex civil service chief Sue Gray is “sharpening up” their operation in anticipation of a Labour victory next year.
One senior Labour figure said they want transition talks to start within weeks.
They said: “We need to start talking to the civil service by the end of the year so we have time to prepare for power.”
But No10 is expected to snub the request.
The PM is looking at a suite of options for tax cuts before the next election.
Some cabinet ministers are pushing for inheritance tax and stamp duty to be slashed.
Others want income tax cut.