Former Australian High Commissioner to the UK Alexander Downer has warned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of a "Canadian style result" at this July's General Election, as the latest polling places the party behind Reform UK.
At Canada's federal election in 1993, Progressive Conservative leader Kim Campbell fell from 156 seats down to just two, as a result of a Liberal victory.
Speaking to Camilla Tominey on GB News, Downer claimed the Conservative Party can "still win the election" if they "change their tactics", in light of their ongoing feud with Reform UK and the party's leader, Nigel Farage.
Downer told GB News: "If they talk of nothing else but that, and be strident and determined in that message, they'll save the furniture.
Alexander Downer has warned the Tories of a 'Canadian style result' at the General Election
GB News / PA
"If they keep talking about themselves and Nigel Farage and so on, they will end up with a Canadian style result."
Noting the attacks from the Conservatives towards Reform UK, Camilla questioned how "effective" their strategy is when Sunak is in the "last chance saloon" ahead of the election.
Downer revealed: "What is not going to be effective is continually announcing new policies because they've been in power for 14 years.
"You only want to have one discussion at this stage in the election campaign, and that's about the opposition becoming the government."
Downer urged the Conservatives to 'ignore Reform' and focus on Labour
PA
Recalling Downer's previous claims that the Tories have faced a "disastrous" campaign so far, Camilla pressed the former High Commissioner on whether there is still time for Sunak to turn his chances of victory around.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Highlighting the D-Day snub in which Sunak faced backlash after leaving the commemorations early, Downer explained: "That speaks for itself. You can't do that sort of thing during an election campaign.
"You have to focus on doing the right thing by the D-Day veterans. It should have just been pencilled in as no matter what else happens this day, that is what we're going to do on that day."
Responding to Camilla's claim that the Tories are "running out of time", Downer agreed, adding: "Exactly. They should have been talking about Labour.
"They've got three weeks to go, but I think they have got time. In three weeks, if they vigorously and determinedly focus on the Labour Party, its labour market reforms, its tax policies, its diversity, equity and inclusion policies and so on.
Alexander Downer claimed 'all governments are flawed'
GB News
"If they keep focusing on the horror story of what a Labour government would be like under a weak leader with a lot of left wing MPs, and that the country will become virtually a one party state at this rate.
"If they keep focusing on that, then people will start to go back to the Conservatives."
Downer concluded: "All governments are flawed, but this is what will happen if Labour wins."
