Nigel Farage has written to every one of the 1,352 Conservative county councillors up for re-election next May, urging them to abandon the sinking Tory ship and join Reform UK. With Reform currently boasting just 29 councillors, Farage is keen to bolster his ranks. Poaching disillusioned Tories is certainly one way to beef up the numbers. And save time on any vetting process…

Farage is offering them a political “lifeline,” warning that sticking with the Tories could cost them their seats. Once again, he’s stepping on Conservative toes – this time not just by stealing votes, but by siphoning off their grassroots foot soldiers. Farage wrote:

“The Conservative Party is a busted flush – these 1,352 councillors are watching their time in office tick away, while they bicker over whether to choose a Leader with a sudden political conversion, or someone who refuses to leave the ECHR. I urge any Conservative councillors who believe in their country and share our values to join Reform UK as we build on the extraordinary inroads we made at the General Election.”

Meanwhile, Labour clearly fears Reform’s rise, with officials warning that Reform could overtake them in the polls by May, as Reform is already more popular. A Reform source told Guido:

“The message is very simple – join us now or lose your seats in May.”

Tory councillors have their chance…