Tories told to 'clear path' for Reform UK to block Andy Burnham's push for power

Reform UK MP Andrew Rosindell has called on the Conservatives to "step aside" in the upcoming Makerfield by-election.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Rosindell declared that the Tories should "withdraw from the race" and allow Reform to challenge Andy Burnham alone.

Predicting Reform's chances in the by-election, Mr Rosindell told GB News that it is much more "within reach" than the recent Gorton and Denton ballot.

He said: "Matt Goodwin was a fantastic candidate, but it's a much, much harder seat that he fought Gorton and Denton.

"It was clearly going to be a very tough nut to crack, but Makerfield is within reach. We can get a Reform UK MP elected."

Mr Rosindell demanded the Tories to "put the country first" and step aside in the upcoming election.

He declared: "I would say tonight, the Conservative Party should put the country before party and not field a candidate.

"Otherwise we risk splitting the vote and potentially letting Labour creep back in, so the Conservative Party really should withdraw from this race and give a clear run to Reform UK."

Questioned by host Patrick Christys on whether the by-election also opens up the door for Reform UK to stand in a possible Mayor of Greater Manchester election, Mr Rosindell agreed.

The Reform MP said: "I think so, yes. At the end of the day, the people of Manchester will make their choice if they have to elect a new mayor.

"But of course, Andy Burnham has to be elected first before he has to give up the mayoralty, so any by-election for a mayor of Greater Manchester would not take place for many months."

Mr Rosindell continued: "We don't know when this by election will occur, probably six or seven weeks time I would think, but let's see.

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"The most important priority at the moment is to get the Ninth Reform UK Member of Parliament elected. That means Nigel Farage is one step closer to becoming our next Prime Minister."

Defending Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, Mr Rosindell argued that the other political parties are "afraid" of him and Reform's success.

He said: "They'll always attack Nigel. They'll always sort of throw something at him, because that's the nature of the game we're in. They they fear him.

"They know that he's popular, they know he's effective. They know he's a patriotic man who wants to rescue this country, and and the old parties are frightened of him, so they're going to throw something at him."

Taking aim at the Tories, Mr Rosindell told GB News that Kemi Badenoch and her party are "no longer the answer" for Britain.

He concluded: "There are too many nasty people out there that want to do harm to serious politicians like Nigel.

"Kemi is leading a party that had 14 years in power and five prime ministers, and didn't solve any of the serious issues the country faces.

"The Conservative Party is no longer the answer. The answer is Reform UK and Nigel Farage as our next Prime Minister."