Richard Holden says Tories would 'consider Nigel Farage's application' to join party ahead of election after new GB News horror poll

In a fresh blow to Rishi Sunak, the People Polling for GB News survey put Labour at 45 per cent, the Conservatives at 20 per cent and Reform at 12 per cent.

Asked whether he wants Farage to join the party, in light of the polling, Holden told GB News: "Polls bounce around. Obviously you know, any application will be considered on its merits."

Pressed on whether or not his response counts as a "no" to Farage joining the party, Holden responded: "It’s definitely not. Polls bounce around."

The same interview saw Holden suggest that former Deputy Chairman Lee Anderson could make a return to a payroll job in the Tory Party, just weeks after he resigned from the post over the Government's Rwanda Bill.

The Conservative Party Chairman also questioned Reform UK's general election strategy, which will see them challenge the Tories in every single seat. Holden accused the party of attempting to "cost the Conservatives a majority".

He said: "I remember, just in Hartlepool, you know in 2019, my colleague down the road didn't get in because... Well, Richard Tice came third, right, in that election. And he cost the Conservatives that seat.

"And you know, I've got a majority of 1,100 in Northwest Durham and it was pretty close to the Brexit Party, at that point could have cost me my seat as well.

"I just don’t quite understand, I'm not quite sure where the policy is coming from, which at the moment is basically cost the Conservatives a majority. I've seen some of those, appalling numbers, as well, put Labour in."

Asked if Rishi Sunak will lead the party into the election, Holden said: "Absolutely. And there's no doubt about that."

The GB News People Polling saw 16 per cent of 2019 Conservatives back Nigel Farage as the most popular choice to replace Sunak as the leader of the party. The next most popular choice was Boris Johnson on 15 per cent support to replace Sunak, ahead of Penny Mordaunt on 12 per cent.

Eight per cent of all voters said Nigel Farage would be the most popular choice to replace Sunak. Meanwhile, seven per cent said Boris Johnson and Penny Mordaunt would be their first choice to replace Sunak. But 51 per cent said it was “none of the above”.

Asked whether the party would take Lee Anderson back as Deputy Chairman, after his resignation from the post earlier this month, Holden told GB News: "I've got a few deputies as you know and I was sad to lose Lee.

"You know he does a lot of good for the party, fundraisers around the country. Really helping gee up the membership. I hope he continues to do that.

"But you know the decisions on jobs for people is not one for me alone. I'll have to chat to the Chief Whip and Prime Minister about it. But I think in the long term, you shouldn't rule anything out."

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He added: "And in fairness to Lee, he's also been very blooming clear. He was very decent and straightforward in his resignation letter. And he was very, he's been very straightforward since to say, actually, he was wrong to not support what we're trying to do around the policy with deporting people to Rwanda, which is pretty big of him, right.

"You know, to admit that you've got something wrong is not always easy. And he's done that. And so, you know, I hope he continues to be my colleague for years to come. And about his future jobs, well, we'll have to see. I'm sure he'll be on GB News for quite a while."

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CHRISTOPHER HOPE