THE Tory election campaign has been “enormously frustrating” and plagued with “unforced errors”, one of their own MPs blasted.
Anthony Mangnall told The Sun’s Never Mind The Ballots the problem with the Tories is that they have promised “too much” and delivered “too little”.
He hit out at the “forced” and “unforced” errors by the national campaign hampering efforts of candidates on the ground.
He conceded Reform UK will take a number of votes away from the Tories with Nigel Farage “certainly” capturing the minds of some people who “sit on the right”.
He also revealed he would be comfortable sitting on the Tory benches with the Brexit supremo at his side if it meant uniting the right.
Mr Mangnall is battling to retain the newly formed South Devon seat against a surging Lib Dem challenge.
His comments come after Defence Secretary Grant Shapps acknowledged earlier this morning a Tory general election victory is unlikely.
Mr Mangnall echoed the Cabinet Minister’s sentiment on our show but added: “We have to get out and talk about our message of supporting people through the pandemic, through the energy crisis and doing some of the many great things we have done in the last four years.”
On the national campaign, he said: “It’s an enormously frustrating campaign.
“There have been some unforced errors.
“There have been some forced errors as well for that matter.”
However, the Tory MP noted some voters do reflect on the fact Rishi Sunak “supported them through the pandemic” and that he is the one who “created a better degree of stability” in Number 10.
The PM’s campaign has been riddled by gaffes and missteps – from standing below an exit sign for a photo op to having to apologise for leaving D-Day events early.
On the threat from Reform UK, he said: “People expect politicians to deliver and all too often over the last 30 years politicians promised too much and delivered too little.
“And Reform has rightly capitalised on the fact that politicians of this day and age are not delivering enough.
“Reform has got a big voice and it’s certainly captured a number of the people who sit on the right, and will take a number of votes away from the Conservative Party.
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“But I think it’s important people remember that Reform is promising things that it won’t actually be able to deliver.”
He also spoke about the need to have a “united right” , noting the polling of both Reform and the Tories is somewhere in the “30 per cent bracket”.
Asked if he would welcome Mr Farage in his party, Mr Mangnall promptly replied: “Yes”
Mr Farage will today unveil Reform UK’s manifesto – which the party dubs a “contract” with voters”.
The party will fight the election on immigration, with policies already announced including an “employer immigration” tax on companies who choose to employ overseas workers instead of British citizens.
Reform UK has vowed to freeze lawful immigration with the exception of healthcare workers and leave the Strasbourg court.
