Rishi facing attack from all sides as Reform offers MPs £420,000 to defect

RISHI Sunak is battling to keep his voters and MPs from the clutches of Reform UK which has reportedly offered nearly half a million pounds to backbenchers to defect.

- David Maddox

A poll suggests only 47% of Conservative voters from the 2019 election would vote Tory next time while 19% would back Reform UK, the highest figure yet, said the Redfield and Wilton survey.

Meanwhile, an Ipsos Mori poll put Labour on 49% (up 8) - a massive 22 points ahead of the Tories on 27% (up 3).

The figures have come as Tory MPs have told the Daily Express they believe there "could still be money on the table" from Reform UK for potential defectors.

With Conservative MPs debating whether to try to replace Rishi Sunak another row has broken out over disputed claims that Reform leader Richard Tice offered Conservative MPs cash to defect.

It is claimed he offered them five years of MP wages as a consultant for the party totalling £420,720 (under current MP pay) if they switched and lost their seat as a result.

Mr Tice vehemently denies the accusations claiming Tory whips have "put MPs up" to making false accusations about him and his party.