Reform Party’s late night plot to try to convince senior Tory MP to defect revealed

A TOP Tory has revealed Reform UK tried to poach him weeks before Lee Anderson’s bombshell defection - but he said no because it’s a “duff deal”.

Bob Seely - the MP for the Isle of Wight - revealed that a party boss sent him late night text trying to lure him over.

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The text said things were moving quickly and suggested the two men meet for secret defection talks.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday, Mr Seely lifted the lid on the cloak and dagger plots by Reform to convince Tory MPs to defect.

Writing for the first time about his experience, Mr Seely said: “Weeks before Lee Anderson, Reform tried to tempt me, but I know a duff deal when I see it.

“The text came from a senior member of Reform. Might I be interested in joining?

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“But joining what? A rag tag group with no hope of governing or leading?”

Mr Seely said he was not interested in quitting the Tories and snubbed the plea.

And in a blistering attack on the party who tried nab him, he added: “Let’s be clear.

“Anyone voting for Reform will let in Labour, and they will get the opposite of what they want.”

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He added: “So my answer to Reform should be the same as anyone else’s.

“No thanks. It’s a duff deal.”

But there is growing terror in No10 at the threat posed by Reform.

The latest YouGov poll has Reform on 16 points - its largest vote share ever.

They are now ahead of the Tories in the North and Midlands.

Rumours are swirling inside Westminster that Nigel Farage is eyeing up a sensational return to frontline politics.

If he does, most expect the Tory vote to collapse even further.

Mr Anderson, the former Tory deputy chairman, defected to Reform earlier this month.

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Downing Street was put on high alert in case other disgruntled Tory Red Wallers followed him.

But none have.

A Reform spokesman said: “If he want’s to turn down the only chance he has of saving his skin, well that’s up to him.”