RICHARD TICE CLAIMS TORIES ARE QUEUING UP TO JOIN REFORMING SAYING: “THEY REALISE THE GAME IS UP!”
RICHARD Tice has claimed a number of Conservative councillors across the country are leaving the Tories to join Reform.
In an exclusive interview with GBNews, Mr Tice also insisted support for his party was spreading, and that the door remained open for Nigel Farage to stand as an MP in Clacton.
Speaking to Christopher Hope, GB News’ Political Editor, Mr Tice said: “We’re getting loads of applications from existing Conservative councillors – quite a lot, actually. Obviously we have to go through a vetting process and check them. There’s tactics involved here.
“But there are many people in the Tory party who realise the game is up, they’re toxic, the writing is on the wall…and that’s why they’re signing up (to Reform).”
Earlier this week a YouGov poll put Reform at 12 percent. Asked if he thought Reform could improve further and what role Nigel Farage might play, Mr Tice said: “Given what we’re hearing internally, I think within a few weeks we’re very likely to hit 13%. We’re heading north and success breeds success People laughed at me when we set up Reform UK. Three years later, I tell you, no Tory MPs are laughing at us now. I’ve led the party, driven it to that growth. But it’s a big job. The more successful we are, the more help we need. And I’ve absolutely said the more help that Nigel (Farage) can give, the better. And it will be a huge, huge opportunity.”
Pressed on whether Mr Farage would stand in Clacton he said: “You’d have to ask him. The polling says he could well win. It’s a huge decision. But I’m quite sure, Nigel, would very much like to be in Parliament. But we know first past the post is difficult and these are big decisions for Nigel.”
During a robust exchange with Christopher Hope, Mr Tice said Reform had a plan for funding their spending commitments and warned the country was “running out of money”.
On stopping the boats he said: “We’ve got a six point plan. But the two key components are that we’ve got to leave the European Convention on Human Rights. I’d like a referendum on that. We’d win it hands down. The country is sick and tired of foreign judges overseas telling us what to do. The second point is you’ve got to do what you know works and do what worked in Australia. What you need is the political courage and leadership that Tony Abbott showed in Australia in 2013. He said he would stop the boats. He did it. He got some flack from the lefty lawyers and the international institutions. But here we are 10 years later, both main parties in Australia carry out the same policy and the boats stopped.”