Conservatives ‘unnerved’ as support for Reform rises

THE Tories are ramping up preparations for the next election with a surge in support for the Reform Party unnerving Tory backbenchers.

Conservative HQ is “significantly” increasing efforts to attract new donations and is set to embark on a hiring spree of campaign managers.

A survey by PeoplePolling showed that support for Reform, the successor to the Brexit Party, has risen to 8 per cent. While the party is unlikely to take any seats from the Tories, it could syphon off votes in key marginals, meaning they swing to Labour.

Its leader, Richard Tice, has said he has been in contact with several Conservative backbenchers about defecting at the next election.

Tory MPs have expressed fears that those who voted for them in 2019 will turn to Reform because their party has “failed to deliver” on immigration.

Rishi Sunak is set to hold a Cabinet away day at his Chequers country retreat this week to brainstorm strategies for the next election.

Pollsters will present the Prime Minister and his top team with the latest surveys, which are expected to paint a grim picture, particularly across the Red Wall.

Some backbenchers have warned Mr Sunak that he needs to take the threat from Reform more seriously.

Lord Hayward, a Tory pollster, said Mr Sunak was right to prioritise immigration and tackling inflation if he is to stave off the threat from Reform.

“Clearly it will have an impact if they continue to poll even at these levels, partly because it will unnerve and distract the Conservative Party,” he said.