A top UK pollster has claimed that Reform UK would pose a "greater threat" to the Conservatives if they were to get Nigel Farage on board.
This follows former Tory Deputy Chair Lee Anderson's defection from the Conservatives to Richard Tice's party, after sparking an Islamophobia row with London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
As pressure on Rishi Sunak to win back voters grows, Penny Mordaunt is reportedly being lined up by right-wing rebels as the Prime Minister's most likely successor.
A Conservative source told GB News there are a "significant number of MPs" who think it would be "cleaner" to put in a caretaker PM to take over for a set period ahead of a general election.
Chris Hopkins claims Nigel Farage joining Reform would pose a 'greater threat' to the Tories
GB News
The source said: "They could call an election and have a 100 day campaign. That way they can fight it with fresh leadership and draw a line under the chaos.
"Surely it’s easier to fight an election with a new prospect for Prime Minister, rather than an incumbent."
Discussing the latest poll ratings for Sunak on GB News, pollster Chris Hopkins said that according to the latest figures, the Tories are set for "Conservative wipeout" at the next general election.
Hopkins added the Conservative vote share hitting 25 per cent is the "lowest that we've seen since the Liz Truss government".
Lee Anderson defected to Reform UK from the Conservatives
PA
When asked by host Emily Carver if the Prime Minister is able to turn things around, Hopkins said: "Rishi Sunak hasn't really ever been able to turn things around from the impact of Liz Truss."
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Hopkins explained: "Since his early good start, things have tended to go backwards. And I think it's therefore no surprise that there are consistent rumours about his status as Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister.
"A set of local election results in a few weeks time could perhaps be the final nail in the coffin for him."
Emily then pressed Hopkins on the growing popularity of Reform UK, following Lee Anderson's move, and questioned the possible impact of Nigel Farage joining the party may have on the fate of Rishi Sunak in government.
Hopkins revealed that in the polling community, there's "still a huge question mark" about Reform and if they are "a Conservative protest vote or a legitimate party".
Hopkins says Nigel Farage could spell 'even worse news' for the Conservative Party
GB News
Hopkins continued: "I think it's really difficult to assess the impact that one person, one leader, could end up having.
"But I do think that in terms of what Nigel Farage represents, he does increase Reform's legitimacy. And I think they would be a far greater threat at local elections or indeed at a general election if he was heavily involved, whether that's as leader or otherwise.
"I think that if he was to make a return to front line politics, I think that that could spell even worse news for the Conservative Party come the general election."