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A former BBC journalist has claimed the Conservative Party<\/span> has been taken over by Nigel Farage<\/span>.<\/p>\n Lewis Goodall told The News Agents podcast that right wing Conservatives have taken over to the point where it is now Mr Farage’s party, adding there has been a “slow-burn, hostile” takeover since 2013-14.<\/p>\n He compared the right’s ascendancy within the Conservative Party to that of the left’s domination of Labour under its former leader, Jeremy Corbyn.<\/p>\n Mr Goodall said: “I think one of the differences between the Labour Party<\/span> and the Conservative Party is that… the right of the Labour Party fought (a left-wing takeover). They fought it and they were very good at it because they’ve had experience before.<\/p>\n “The right of the Labour Party always fights. Arguably, they were actually much harder than the left were. If the left had the toughness and the steel of the right of the Labour Party they’d still be in charge now.”<\/p>\n READ MORE… <\/strong> Sunak names three countries UK will target to stop migrants reaching Britain<\/strong><\/p>\n He added: “The difference is that what you might say is the left of the Conservative Party, frankly, has less guts and is a bit more like the soft left of the Labour Party… They appease.”<\/p>\n Mr Goodall explained that while “soft left” Tories hope to accommodate with right wing party members, it will never happen and a situation arises where “basically, it is Farage’s party now”.<\/p>\n The former Newsnight presenter was speaking on the last day of the Conservative Party Conference, during which the former Brexit Party leader made a number of appearances, including dancing alongside Dame Priti Patel at a bash hosted by GB News.<\/p>\n Tim Montgomerie, founder of Conservative Home, shared footage of The News Agents discussion on X, commenting: “The trouble with NewsAgents is that all three contributors basically agree. It’s also the big weakness of the Campbell and Stewart uber-Remain podcast and also the Balls-Osborne OBR show.”<\/p>\n Prime Minister Rishi Sunak left the door open to a possible return for Mr Farage after describing the Tories as a “very broad church” when asked about his membership prospects.<\/p>\n Mr Sunak added to GB News: “I welcome lots of people who want to subscribe to our ideals, to our values.”<\/p>\n But the former Ukip leader replied “no, no, no” to the suggestion while Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands also said he would not welcome it.<\/p>\n Mr Farage told GB News: “Would I want to join a party that’s put the tax rate up to the highest in over 70 years, that has allowed net migration to run at over half a million a year, that has not used Brexit to deregulate to help small businesses? No, no and no.”<\/p>\n He added: “I achieved a lot more outside of the Tory party than I ever could have done from within it.”<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n