The two leaders during a debate on ITV during the election campaign. (Image: ITV )
Rishi Sunak held secret talks about a last-minute strategy to beat Labour in so-called Red Wall seats by putting up candidates on a joint Conservative-Reform UK ticket, it has been claimed.
New revelations published tonight by the Telegraph, report at the highest level in the Tory party plans were discussed for joining forces with Reform to target Labour at the ballot box.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Dr. Marty
If Your Indoor Cat Vomits, Do This ImmediatelyDr. Marty Watch More
The paper alleges the former Prime Minister held a phone call and a face-to-face meeting with Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a critic of Mr Sunak and former ally of Boris Johnson who is reported to be sympathetic to Reform UK.
Dame Andrea, who the Telegraph said had lunch with Mr Farage and met Reform chairman Richard Tice, told the paper she requested a meeting with Rishi Sunak.
She said: “We discussed the state of the party, my vote of no confidence, disunity in the party, the awful by-election results, how we were haemorrhaging votes.
Sponsored
Health Benefits
Health Benefits Top Podiatrists: If You Have Toenail Fungus Try This Tonight (It's Genius!)
by Taboola by Taboola
READ MORE: BBC spark fury over using foul-mouthed exorcist clip over Starmer's disabled mum
Reform UK are thought to have taken voters from both the Tories and Labour. (Image: ITV )
“I suggested to him Red Wall candidates running on a joint Tory-Reform ticket. He was definitely in listening mode. He said there was a lot to think about.”
The plans did not transpire, however, and Labour stormed to victory with 412 seats compared to a dismal 121 for the Tory party, and an impressive five new MPs for Reform UK.
But one of the stories of the night on July 4 was just how many seats Reform came very close to taking, with the party finishing second in an astonishing 98 contests.
Nigel Farage's party also hoovered up an impressive 14.3 percent of the overall vote share, ahead of the Liberal Democrats who despite this returned a record 72 MPs.
Don't miss...
Surprise frontrunner to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader emerges in poll [REPORT]
British politics could use a Swiss-style reformation, says Jonathan Saxty [INSIGHT]
Biden calls Kamala 'Vice President Trump' and says he's 'catching hell' off wife [LATEST]
Nigel Farage became an MP on his eighth attempt. (Image: PA )
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Andy Wigmore, a Brexit campaigner and close associate of Mr Farage from working on the Leave.EU campaign told the Telegraph Rishi Sunak had "wanted to engage with Nigel" but his aides hated the flamboyant politician.
Mr Wigmore said: "He (Mr Sunak) kept asking ‘how do we engage with Nigel’, I think Rishi wanted to do this, I know that the people around him still had that visceral hatred of Farage and over their dead bodies would this happen. It was the other people around Rishi who put the kibosh in.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Jacob Rees-Mogg sets out 3 simple changes for Tories to crush Nigel Farage's Reform surge
765 Comments
Nigel Farage plots more carnage as he targets 'town hall revolution' in council elections
92 Comments
Tories deliver verdict on merger with Nigel Farage's Reform - with surprise outcome
89 Comments
Reform UK civil war erupts as Nigel Farage unveils new roles after election
1163 Comments
Trump advisor hails Farage's election surge as 'resurrection of Brexit spirit' across UK
439 Comments
'We're coming for you!' Nigel Farage issues Keir Starmer brutal '87 seat' warning
336 Comments
In order to revive the party, the Tories need to appoint this MP as their next leader
44 Comments
Tony Blair wades in to offer advice to Keir Starmer with 3-point takedown of Reform
1210 Comments
How Nigel Farage could become the next leader of the Tory Party
107 Comments
Lee Anderson says 'I'm back' as he issues major GB News update after election win
243 Comments
Reform UK civil war rages as ousted deputy leader Ben Habib makes key demand
38 Comments
New poll of Tory members reveals clear frontrunner to replace Rishi Sunak
7 Comments
Nigel Farage's four-word warning to Labour after incredible Reform UK victory
88 Comments
Suella Braverman warns of fresh Tory 'crisis' in urgent Nigel Farage warning
75 Comments
New bombshell poll of ex-Tory voters reveal they want former PM to make a comeback
285 Comments
Lib Dem leader breaks silence on Reform UK after Nigel Farage won nearly 600k more votes
503 Comments
Shock graph shows staggering gulf between Reform's millions of votes and tiny seat haul
245 Comments
Tory civil war erupts after 'bloodbath' as members moan about 'Boris-shaped hole' in party
1145 Comments
Health Insight Journal
New Edema Device Leaves Experts Speechless (It's Genius!)Health Insight Journal Learn More
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Nigel Farage set to make triumphant return to GB News show after huge election win
403 Comments
Nigel Farage says Tories are already in civil war after election defeat
297 Comments
Jacob Rees-Mogg sets out 3 simple changes for Tories to crush Nigel Farage's Reform surge
765 Comments
Nigel Farage plots more carnage as he targets 'town hall revolution' in council elections
92 Comments
Tories deliver verdict on merger with Nigel Farage's Reform - with surprise outcome
89 Comments
Reform UK civil war erupts as Nigel Farage unveils new roles after election
1163 Comments
Trump advisor hails Farage's election surge as 'resurrection of Brexit spirit' across UK
439 Comments
'We're coming for you!' Nigel Farage issues Keir Starmer brutal '87 seat' warning
336 Comments
In order to revive the party, the Tories need to appoint this MP as their next leader
44 Comments
Tony Blair wades in to offer advice to Keir Starmer with 3-point takedown of Reform
1210 Comments
How Nigel Farage could become the next leader of the Tory Party
107 Comments
Lee Anderson says 'I'm back' as he issues major GB News update after election win
243 Comments
Reform UK civil war rages as ousted deputy leader Ben Habib makes key demand
38 Comments
New poll of Tory members reveals clear frontrunner to replace Rishi Sunak
7 Comments
Nigel Farage's four-word warning to Labour after incredible Reform UK victory
88 Comments
Suella Braverman warns of fresh Tory 'crisis' in urgent Nigel Farage warning
75 Comments
New bombshell poll of ex-Tory voters reveal they want former PM to make a comeback
285 Comments
Lib Dem leader breaks silence on Reform UK after Nigel Farage won nearly 600k more votes
503 Comments
Shock graph shows staggering gulf between Reform's millions of votes and tiny seat haul
245 Comments
Tory civil war erupts after 'bloodbath' as members moan about 'Boris-shaped hole' in party
1145 Comments
Nigel Farage set to make triumphant return to GB News show after huge election win
403 Comments
Nigel Farage says Tories are already in civil war after election defeat
297 Comments
Jacob Rees-Mogg sets out 3 simple changes for Tories to crush Nigel Farage's Reform surge
765 Comments
Nigel Farage plots more carnage as he targets 'town hall revolution' in council elections
92 Comments
Tories deliver verdict on merger with Nigel Farage's Reform - with surprise outcome
89 Comments
Reform UK civil war erupts as Nigel Farage unveils new roles after election
1163 Comments
Trump advisor hails Farage's election surge as 'resurrection of Brexit spirit' across UK
439 Comments
'We're coming for you!' Nigel Farage issues Keir Starmer brutal '87 seat' warning
336 Comments
In order to revive the party, the Tories need to appoint this MP as their next leader
44 Comments
Finance Nemo
Little Richard's Net Worth Makes The HeadlinesFinance Nemo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
According to the Telegraph, Mr Wigmore had three meetings with an aide of Mr Sunak in the weeks running up to the election being called on May 22.
Express.co.uk have contacted both the Conservative Party and Reform UK for comment.
Related articles Strictly bosses 'tipped to sign up MP' as they 'swap politics for Paso Doble' Disney Channel star from Zendaya series made a very controversial career move Tony Blair has set a devastating trap for Keir Starmer to walk straight into SNP set to dish out free bus passes to asylum seekers after ￡222m youth scheme Starmer's Labour Party boosted by ￡19.5m from 11 donors – this is who they are