Anna Soubry has hit out at the Conservative Party and suggested it is now after popularity instead of upholding its core values. Speaking to BBC Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis, Ms Soubry drew a comparison between the Conservatives and the Brexit Party - now renamed Reform UK.

       She said: “There has been a huge change in the Conservative Party.

       “It marches now to a very different drum beat than it did under either Theresa May or David Cameron, or indeed any other Prime Minister.

       “So, it’s now the Brexit Party, effectively, but with this populist, Trumpian-type style.”

       She added: “What’s happened is that the Conservative Party has lost its moral compass.

       “And as soon as you lose your moral compass then you fall on ‘well, what’s the popular thing to do?’, as opposed to saying ‘what are out values? what is the right thing to do?’”

       BBC Newsnight viewers took to Twitter to initiate a debate about the former MP’s incendiary remarks.

       One person wrote: “She will no doubt be ridiculed by No 10, but she has a point.

       “They spend too much time propagandising, telling us what a great future we have.

       “Levelling up should mean spending equal amounts in all regions, not pennies for some and billions for London infrastructure.”