Reform MP Lee Anderson has issued a stark warning to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, claiming that she is fighting a losing battle against Nigel Farage and Reform UK.
The clash between Badenoch and Reform UK has escalated in recent days, with the Conservative leader reportedly confronting GB News over Farage's airtime claiming the channel is a "haven for her critics".
In a statement, a GB News spokesman confirmed that the meeting took place "without any acrimony" and was "very constructive".
Speaking to GB News, Lee Anderson stressed that Badenoch had "picked a fight" with Farage and cautioned that it had "backfired".
Lee Anderson stressed that Badenoch had "picked a fight" with Farage and cautioned that it had "backfired"
PA / GB News
"Stop picking fights with Nigel, it's a waste of time, you're never going to beat him. He's been at it the thick end of three decades doing this sort of stuff, he has these sort of politicians for breakfast," Anderson stated.
He added: "It's made a small story really, front page news the past three or four days, and it's great news for us - our membership is flying - 30,000 new members since last Sunday, that's incredible. Absolutely incredible."
Defending GB News further, Anderson stated that many former and present Tory MPs have held shows on the People's Channel, with no complaint from the current leader of the opposition.
Anderson explained: "I was deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, and I had my own show on GB News - I still am, by the way - and I was interviewing Tory MPs on my show.
Kemi Badenoch has taken aim at Nigel Farage over Reform's membership numbers, as well as his show on GB NewsPA"Phil and Esther were Tory MPs and had their own show, we've got Miriam on there, Jacob Rees-Mogg, we've had other Tory MPs and MPs on GB News presenting shows - I didn't hear Kemi Badenoch complaining then. I think it's a little bit childish to have a pop at GB News over this."
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Anderson also criticised Badenoch's response to the Reform UK membership counter as showing "political immaturity".
"I think if Kemi has had time to keep watching our membership counter over the Christmas, she probably should have been spending a little bit more time doing something else, maybe watching a Carry On film," he said.
The Reform MP added: "She's picked a fight with Nigel. This is the result of a gentle tease with the graphics being shone on to CCHQ, and she's come out swinging. If I'd been advising Kemi, I'd have just said ignore it, carry on, enjoy Christmas, speak to your MPs, get ready for the new year, get ready for the battle ahead."
Anderson, who previously backed Badenoch, expressed surprise at her actions: "I could not foresee at that time when I was backing Kemi, that she would do something like this.
"I like Kemi, I get on really well with her, I think she's a strong woman, a decent politician. But go and pick on Labour, pick on their policies, leave us alone. We're doing all right, thank you very much."
Anderson told GB News that Badenoch should 'go and pick on Labour' instead of Reform and Farage
GB News
Speaking from his experience as former Conservative deputy chairman, Anderson highlighted the significant movement of members between parties.
"When I was deputy chairman, I went to over 100 associations to speak to members. And the vast majority of conservative members and those associations liked what Nigel Farage did, like what he's got to say," he revealed.
Anderson noted a concerning trend for the Conservatives, observing familiar faces at Reform events.
"Now I'm visiting the same areas as a Reform MP, Reform associations, I'm seeing a lot of the same members there. That's the problem that she needs to address, not whether or not our ticking counter is working on X," he said.
