Mark Francois says there is “room on the right pew” for Nigel Farage in the Conservative Party.
The Tory MP fronts the party’s European Research Group (ERG) which has exerted pressure on the Government in a bid to tighten its stance on migration.
He told Camilla Tominey that the party needs a change in strategy as it continues to languish in Labour’s wake in the polls.
Welcoming “rockstar politician” Nigel Farage back into the fold could help the Tories, Francois suggested.
Mark Francois says there is ‘room on the right pew’ for Farage
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Asked about the prospect of the GB News star joining Reform UK, he said: “I’ve known Nigel for many years.
“He’s a rockstar politician, there’s no denying it.”
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Mark Francois has opened the door to a Farage return
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Opening the door to a possible return for Farage, he said: “We’ve always been a broad church.
“There’s room on the right pew.”
Pressed on whether Farage could end up becoming Prime Minister, he said Tominey was “going five fences ahead”.
“Your question to me was, can I count on Nigel Farage one day return the Conservative Party?”, he said.
“The answer to that I think is yes.”
Right-wing Tory factions abstained from voting on the Rwanda bill in the week in protest at the legislation’s lack of robustness.
Making such a move could put Sunak’s relationship with more centrist Tories at risk as they bid to protect the legislation against breaches of international law.
Speaking to The Spectator, Rishi Sunak said he is “keen to get on” with imposing the Rwanda bill.
He also criticised Tory dissent, branding it “debating society” antics.
“What the country wants is a practical government that is making a difference to their lives and changing things for the better, not a debating society,” he said.
“People are frustrated that the pace of change is not fast enough. I get that. I am working night and day, tirelessly, to keep making a difference.”
