Jacob Rees-Mogg believes Lee Anderson has made a mistake in quitting the Tories (Image: GETTY)

       Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has warned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Reform UK could cost him the general election in the wake of Lee Anderson’s defection to Reform UK.

       The former Business Secretary and leader of the House of Commons was speaking after the MP for Ashfield in Nottinghamshire confirmed his decision alongside Reform UK leader Richard Tice at a press conference in London.

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       Mr Rees-Mogg, the Tory MP for North Somerset, speaking on GB News, issued a plea for unity as he urged the Tories to “reap the fruits of Brexit”.

       Emphasising the importance of securing Britain’s borders, “not just in terms of migration, but the we're forthright and safe in defence”, Mr Rees-Mogg continued: “It’s what Conservatives believe in, but we're not putting it forward strongly enough. And therefore, we are finding that people like Lee are making decisions that actually make all of this harder.

       “Because we know Reform won't win the election, but they can stop, they can make it harder for the Conservatives.

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       Jacob Rees-Mogg interviews Lee Anderson on GB News (Image: GETTY)

       “And this means that what all of us want becomes less likely.

       “That's why I think Lee made a mistake in going. I think he should have stayed within the Conservative Party, to bolster the forces arguing for what he believes in.”

       Referring to Mr Sunak’s decision to suspend Mr Anderson from the party after remarks about London Mayor Sadiq Khan which some interpreted to be islamaphobic, Mr Rees-Mogg continued: “But I also think the Conservative party made a mistake in taking the whip away from him.

       “You don’t take away the whip for one slip of the tongue: a clumsy phrase, as Lee himself called it, from somebody who's one of your most powerful and forthright advocates.”

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       Lee Anderson and Reform UK leader Richard Tice at yesterday's press conference (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

       In a statement shared on X yesterday after the press conference, Mr Anderson said: “The situation I find myself in today is that I am no longer part of the Conservative Party, the party have moved me aside and removed the whip as a result of me speaking the truth of the people, which will never change.

       “I therefore today announced that I have joined the Reform Party.

       “Richard Tice is fully aware of the values and the needs of Britain and the people of Ashfield, and he has agreed to support my message and the voices of my constituents which is the most important thing to me as not just a politician, but as a decent and proud British citizen who wants nothing more than to take Britain back and give our country the leadership it deserves.”

       Speaking yesterday, Emma Levin, Associate Director with polling company Savanta, said: “Reform UK can certainly hurt the Conservatives at election time, but we are yet to see that really materialise in recent by-elections.

       Lee Anderson says 'I want my country back'

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       She also sounded a note of caution, suggesting that his defection “will likely mean very little in national polling terms”.

       Mrs Levin explained: “Lee Anderson’s name recognition among the wider public is low, and if voters are aware of him, it is probably because they saw (and disagreed) with his comments that led to his suspension from the Conservative party.

       "Savanta's latest research has Reform UK at eight percent, and I don't expect to see any remarkable change in those figures off the back of this news. Anderson's defection does highlight the ongoing electoral problem facing Rishi Sunak, with attacks coming from the left and right.”

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