LABOUR are reportedly “war-gaming” the possibility of Nigel Farage taking over the Conservative Party in a right-wing coup.
A team led by shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth meets twice a week to prepare of Rishi Sunak being defenestrated by his internal right-wing critics, according to HuffPost.
It is said the group includes a small amount of Labour aides and takes advice from centre-left parties abroad who have battled populist parties.
HuffPost reported its work has been “turbo-charged” since the launch of the Popular Conservatism faction of the Tory party, featuring Liz Truss (below), Jacob Rees-Mogg and Lee Anderson, currently suspended over allegations of Islamophobia.
A Labour source told the site: “It’s the worst kept secret in Westminster that the PopCons are organising a hostile takeover of the Tory Party.
“But increasingly Sunak finds himself caught in their pincer movement. His weakness is shocking. It means he could be toppled any moment. We have to be ready for that.”
The Tories are split on whether Farage, currently a member of Reform UK, should be readmitted to the party, of which he was a member from his school days until 1992.
He has so far rejected overtures from some Conservatives, including former prime minister Truss, to come back into the fold.
But he has courted speculation he may rejoin, appearing at the party’s conference and the inaugural conference of the Popular Conservatism group.
READ MORE: Liz Truss claims Britain is 'full of secret Conservatives' at PopCon launch
A source told HuffPost they expected the Tories to “lurch to the right” if the party is defeated at the upcoming General Election.
They said: “With Farage you have to be prepared for anything.
“Tory voters at the next election need to know what they are voting for: win, lose or draw they will ditch Sunak and lurch to the right. A vote for them is a vote for carrying on the chaos and division for another five years.”
The group are said to have identified weaknesses of Farage that could be exploited should he become the leader of the opposition in Westminster.
They reportedly want to shine a light on previous praise for Vladimir Putin, his friendship with Donald Trump and his climate change scepticism.
Farage was approached for comment.
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