Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake laughed off suggestions he might be defecting to Reform UK after GB News presenter Tom Harwood pointed out his light blue tie during an interview about the local elections.
The exchange came as voters across England headed to the polls in what Hollinrake admitted would likely be a "difficult night" for the Conservatives.
With Reform UK expected to make significant gains at the expense of the Tories, Tom couldn't resist a playful jibe about the colour of the MP's neckwear.
The moment provided a brief respite from the tense atmosphere as parties await results from 23 council elections, six mayoral contests, and the parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby.
Kevin Hollinrake was left in hysterics after Tom's joke
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Polls closed at 10pm on Thursday, with counting beginning immediately in some areas, though most results are not expected until Friday.
Spotting the MP's choice of neckwear, Tom quipped: "I can't help but notice your tie is a bit light blue. Would you find greater electoral success if you did the same as your former Tory colleague Andrea Jenkyns and jumped ship?"
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The reference to Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the former Conservative minister who is running to become mayor of Greater Lincolnshire for Reform UK, prompted a chuckle from Hollinrake.
"This was the only one I could find in my wardrobe when I left the house this morning," he responded with a laugh.The MP was quick to reassure viewers of his Conservative loyalty.
"I have plenty of dark blue ties as well, Tom. You have no fears there - I am a true blue," Hollinrake added.
The exchange highlighted the growing challenge Reform UK poses to the Conservatives, with Nigel Farage's party expected to win hundreds of council seats, primarily at the Tories' expense.
PICTURED: Votes are counted at DCBL Halton Stadium, Widnes, Cheshire, for the Runcorn & Helsby by-electionPADespite the light-hearted moment, Hollinrake was candid about the electoral challenges facing his party in the local elections.
"We see this as being a difficult night for us," he acknowledged.
The MP expressed concern for Conservative councillors who might lose their seats as results come in.
"We have some great councillors and very good candidates out there. It will be sad to see some of those councillors lose those seats - but that's going to be the reality on the ground," Hollinrake said.
His comments came as the Conservatives braced for potentially heavy losses, with Lord Hayward, a Tory peer and pollster, predicting the party could lose between 475 and 525 local authority seats.
The party was defending around 900 seats, with Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats both hoping to make significant gains at their expense.
Results were expected to begin arriving from around 2am, with most council votes being counted on Friday morning.
