Rule out Farage deal, Sunak told
Labour has demanded Rishi Sunak publicly rule out offering Nigel Farage a deal in exchange for not standing for Reform UK at the general election.
It follows reports that some Tory MPs nervous about the threat of Reform have urged the Prime Minister to make Mr Farage the UK’s ambassador to the US or hand him a peerage to prevent him from boosting Reform’s campaign.
It comes as recent polls have put Reform just several points behind the Conservatives, who fear the right-wing populist party could make further gains if its founder Mr Farage takes on a more prominent role.
Tory Party chairman Richard Holden refused to rule out a pact with the arch Brexiteer, telling Sky News: “What Nigel Farage does and the Reform party is totally up to them.”
Labour yesterday warned that installing Mr Farage as the UK ambassador to
Washington could undermine western unity against Russian aggression.
Mr Farage has previously suggested the West should be more open to negotiating with Russian president Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine.
Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth said: “Rishi Sunak’s weakness leaves him pandering to the extremists in his party.
“Rishi Sunak must put national interest before the Conservative party. No secret negotiations to keep the Farage wolf from the Tory door. Rishi Sunak must rule out this dangerous and desperate deal that risks threatening international unity against Russian aggression and undermining vital support for Ukraine.
“If the Prime Minister refuses to publicly rule out such a desperate deal, it will be clearer than ever that Rishi Sunak is too weak to act in the national interest.”
Mr Farage told Politico’s Playbook PM “I am not for sale”.
A Reform spokesman rejected the reported proposal as an “electoral bribe” and a sign of the Tories’ “desperation”.
Reform, led by Richard Tice, has recently seen former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson defect to its ranks.
Downing Street has been contacted for comment.