Richard Tice says the Tories should step aside and let him take on “and beat” Keir Starmer.

Speaking in the wake of last night’s by-elections, the leader of Reform UK told GBNews: “I think people are realising the Tories are tired, that they are old and they are toxic.

“They’ve had the chance – they’ve blown it, frankly, they should stand aside now having messed up. My message to them is let me take on Keir Starmer and beat him. You’ve got to be optimistic. I’ve got loads of it.”

Asked if he was prepared to step aside himself should the Tories approach him and agree to adopt some of Reform UK’s policies, Mr Tice said: “No way. It had a chance before.

“No one believes a word they say anymore. They said that last time and we fell for it. We’re not falling for that nonsense again. No one trusts them. I’ve still got the scars on my back from last time.

“A week tomorrow we will be releasing the draft of our election contract with the people which will cover all of these areas in great detail, including costings.

“We’re not calling it a manifesto – we’re calling it an election contract with the people as it is a draft election contract between us and the voters. We’re looking at a range of stuff and people will agree with some of the numbers and they’ll disagree with others.

“But in a sense, by doing it as a working draft, that’s actually a good thing. You’re saying, ‘look, we’re not perfect, but at least we’re putting it out there. And then people can comment and decide.”

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