FARAGE: MORE TORY MPS WILL SOON DEFECT TO REFORM

MORE Tory MPs will defect to Reform within a year, Nigel Farage has predicted as he vows to turn his party into an electoral powerhouse.

- Sam Lister

The Reform UK leader is open to Suella Braverman making the switch and claimed several Tories who lost Red Wall seats would still be MPs if they had changed. Mr Farage is promising to be laser-focused in turning Reform into a huge organisation powered by members as he plots to win from "Kent to Newcastle".

He said: "There is an awful lot to do I'm not deluding myself about that. But there's an appetite for something very different than, let's be frank, two rather dull middle managers [Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak]."

Former Home Secretary Ms Braverman is tipped to switch party despite having been returned as a Tory on July 4. Mr Farage insisted no discussions have taken place but said there was a place in Reform for "like-minded" people.

Tory deputy chairman Lee son became Reform's first MP when he switched sides this year. He went on to retain his seat of Ashfield, Notts in a fierce fight with Labour, the Tories and independents.

Mr Farage said his main focus is on building up Reform so it has a strong grassroots operation that will make it an "attractive" proposition for anyone thinking of joining. Ms Braverman fuelled speculation that she is planning to defect, with explosive attacks on the Conservative Party and potential leadership candidates but has since denied she will jump ship.

Mr Farage said: "There's a place for like-minded people but is that what she wants? "I've no idea, it's not my focus.