In a stunning intervention that has sent shockwaves through Westminster, former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has declared that Reform UK is on track to overtake the Conservatives in the polls, branding the prospect a "catastrophic reality" for the Tories.
The dramatic warning came during a fiery speech at a Reform conference, where the ex-MP laid bare the existential threat posed by Nigel Farage's party. Dorries, a key ally of Boris Johnson, did not mince her words, stating that the current trajectory points to an electoral wipeout for Rishi Sunak's government.
A Stark Ultimatum for Sunak
Dorries presented a stark solution to the looming crisis: bring Nigel Farage into the heart of government. She argued that the Conservative Party must urgently embrace the popular Brexiteer and offer him a senior Cabinet position if it wishes to prevent Reform from siphoning off critical votes.
"The only way to prevent this is to bring Nigel Farage into the Conservative Party and into Cabinet," she asserted, framing it as a necessary move to reunite the right-of-centre vote that has become dangerously fragmented.
The Polling Prophecy
Citing internal data and prevailing political winds, Dorries predicted that Reform's momentum is not a temporary blip but a sign of things to come. Her analysis suggests that without a major strategic shift, the Conservatives will be unable to halt the advance of their rival party, which is capitalising on voter discontent over issues like immigration and the economy.
The speech highlights the deep internal divisions and sense of panic within the Tory ranks as they face the prospect of a crushing defeat in the next General Election. Dorries' very presence at a Reform event underscores the blurring lines and the potential for a significant realignment in British politics.
A Defining Moment for the Tories
This public challenge from a former senior minister represents a defining moment for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. It forces a critical choice: continue on the current path and risk a historic loss, or make a controversial pact with one of the most influential and divisive figures in modern British politics to try and salvage the election.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the government heeds this bombshell warning or dismisses it as the frustrations of a former MP. One thing is certain: the battle for the soul of the British right has just intensified.
