Ex-Lib Dem MP mulls over Reform UK as he lauds party's 'integrity'

Meanwhile, Reform UK donor Zia Yusuf also refused to rule out standing for the populist party in a huge boost to Nigel Farage.

However, the 37-year-old stressed his immediate focus in on Reform UK’s big electoral test on July 4.

Speaking to GB News, Opik said: “It’s always tempting, especially with a go-getting organisation like Reform.

“I’m not standing this time but what I find attractive is the integrity and purpose.

“Reform has both. I’m driven by high moral purpose in politics and I see that with Reform.

“With Nigel Farage and Richard Tice, you get exactly what you see on the tin. They don’t change when they’re off screen. Who would you rather be in a pub with, Starmer and Sunak or Farage and Tice? I know my answer.

“Frankly, while the Liberal Democrats are worthy, but the best-bet to save the country and realign the centre-right is Reform.”

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The 59-year-old, who attended Reform UK’s rally in Birmingham yesterday, hit the headlines following the Brexit debate after changing his mind to support the leave campaign after the referendum.

He was keen to stress while he remained supportive of the Liberal Democrats in some areas, the centrist party has shifted away from him on other issues.

Opik added: “The ceiling for Reform UK is No10 Downing Street in 2029. The best Reform can do is get there if they play their cards right and I’d actually say the worst they can do is become the Official Opposition.”

The former MP, who attempted to mount a political comeback with an unsuccessful run for the Liberal Democrats' 2012 London Mayoral candidacy, also suggested British politics would be much healthier with Sir Ed Davey opposing Farage, perhaps even propped up by George Galloway.

Find Out Now’s MRP poll with Electoral Calculus suggested the Liberal Democrats could become the Official Opposition with 71 MPs on July 4.

It suggested Sir Ed Davey would hoover up much of the so-called Blue Wall with just 11 per cent of the vote.

The Liberal Democrats are expected to benefit enormously from the collapsing support of the Tory Party, with Rishi Sunak potentially overseeing its worst-ever defeat.

The MRP poll predicted the Conservative Party face being reduced from 365 MPs to a rump of just 60.

Despite Labour looking poised to return a record-breaking 450 MPs, Opik warned Sir Keir Starmer could find himself in a much worse position in just a few months time.

Paraphrasing Labour’s 1997 anthem, Opik said: “Things can only get bitter.”

The Find Out Now MRP poll also suggested a good night for Reform UK, with Farage breaking his electoral hoodoo and the populist party returning 18 MPs to the House of Commons.

Reform is partially being bankrolled by technology tycoon Yusuf.

The 37-year-old had never taken a step into donating or campaigning for a political party ahead of his appearance at Farage’s rally yesterday.

Yusuf, who is a Muslim of Sri Lankan origin, told GB News: “Reform will be able to put forward an incredible roster of candidates in 2029. I’m willing to help them in whatever capacity I can but I haven’t given too much thought on the specifics.”

When pushed on his political ambitions, Yusuf added: “I’m going to help Reform in any way I can; the future of this country depends on it. I absolutely would not rule it out but right now I’m laser-focused on much nearer-term priorities.”

Speaking about the nearer-term priorities, Yusuf was clear he hopes Reform UK make an electoral breakthrough on July 4.

Yusuf, who was once a member of the Tory Party but never donated or campaigned, said: “I only made my donation and started campaigning a few weeks ago. I’m just focused on doing everything I can to support Reform.

“That’s all I’m thinking about right now, frankly. Four years is a long time. I’m focused on getting the most number of seats and the largest vote share we can for Reform in this general election.

“Reform has amazing talent, amazing candidates. I’ve been very impressed by the calibre of candidates and there’s a lot of people looking at this thinking this is a very inspiring movement which is growing in popularity.”

Yusuf was unveiled as a Reform UK donor last month after filling the populist party’s coffers with hundreds of thousands of pounds.

He was outspoken on last week’s Reform racism row, claiming Farage is not an Islamophobe and warning voters against taking Andrew Parker’s “suspicious” comments as gospel.

Yusuf added: “The reason why these attacks are generally just name calling, Putin apologists or racists, is because clearly the political Establishment, the established parties, cannot actually debate Reform on policies because Reform’s policies are the ones that make sense and are the ones that are actually going to solve this country’s problems.”

He later appeared at Reform UK’s rally at Birmingham’s NEC yesterday.

Speaking in front of a 4,500-strong crowd of Reform UK supporters, Yusuf said: “We have been failed by our incompetent political leaders. It does not have to be this way.”

Yusuf stressed “change is coming” and described Farage as an “ace up our sleeve”.

GB News has approached Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats for comment.