Reform UK brands Rishi and Keir 'the socialist twins' and warns there will be NO special deals to spare right-wing MPs at election... but Nigel Farage snubs leader Richard Tice's big New Year push

Reform UK ramped up its election push today warning there will be 'no special deals' for right-wing Tories - but Nigel Farage stayed away.

Party leader Richard Tice held a press conference in London this morning as the political world starts building towards a titanic showdown at the ballot boxes this year. 

Mr Tice said that Mr Sunak had 'failed' and vowed to ignore 'special pleading' from Conservative MPs who share many of Reform UK's views. 

One striking image displayed portrayed Mr Sunak and Keir Starmer as the 'socialist twins'.

He said the government had betrayed voters by allowing mass uncontrolled immigration, and there should be an election as soon as possible.

'We stand in every single seat in England, Scotland and Wales,' Mr Tice said.  

The event has been billed as including 'guests' and laying out strategy, including targeting Labour. However, Mr Farage was no-where in sight despite rumours about a comeback following his successful stint on I'm A Celebrity.

Mr Tice said Mr Farage was still thinking over what he will do next. 

Whispers that former Tory MP Peter Bone could stand for the party in the Wellingborough by-election triggered by his recall after bullying allegations also proved unfounded.   

Tories have been voicing alarm that Reform UK will merely 'pick off' MPs by splitting the right-wing vote, and open the No10 door for Keir Starmer.

The party has been running at around 10 per cent in the polls, slightly behind the Lib Dems. 

Mr Tice said Brits are 'ready for Rishi to call an election sooner rather than later'.

'I'm optimistic that the country quite rightly wants to punish the Tories for breaking Britain,' he said.

'The truth is the Tories are terrified, yes in the new year the special pleading has already started. 'Oh, please don't stand here, please don't stand there, I'm one of the nice guys, I believe in everything that you believe in'.

'You've all broken Britain, you're all responsible, so there's no special deals, we stand in every single seat in England, Scotland and Wales.'

Trying to head off questions about Mr Farage's absence, Mr Tice said that poker players did not like to reveal their hands too early.

'We've been talking over the Christmas period and he's obviously giving a lot of thought as to the extent of the role he wants to play in helping Reform UK frankly save Britain,' he said.

'He is still assessing that.

'Nigel is the master of political timing but I'm very clear the job at hand is so big to save Britain, the more help that Nigel is able to give in the election campaign, frankly, the better.'

Mr Farage said yesterday that he was 'very frustrated' with the government, pointing out that immigration is rising up voters' list of concerns.

However, he has also stressed that he is not as young as he used to be - and highlighted that in 2015 his Brexit Party secured a million votes without getting any foothold in the Commons. 

Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson told GB News that Reform UK are a 'threat' - but their presence could backfire and lead to the country rejoining the EU.

'I've got a lot of time for Nigel [Farage]…he's doing fantastic things but Reform are a threat,' Mr Anderson said. 

'They are a threat, a bigger threat to the country at the moment I think than the Labour Party, because if Reform do pick off a lot of us Conservative MPs at the next election, then what's going to happen is we're going to end up with a Labour government, and a Labour government is the last thing I want.

'I love my country. I love my country to bits - I don't want to see a Labour government and I'm sure Nigel in his heart of hearts loves this country, in fact I know he does.

'But he runs the risk of losing a lot of Tory seats, seats like mine, to put some Labour remainers, remoaners, back in power. You know what that means? That means that's a backdoor entrance back into the European Union.'

Mr Anderson said a return for Mr Farage was the only way Reform UK would make 'inroads'.

'I will say this, it's - I'm not saying they're a one-man party, but he is the figurehead is Nigel, he does a great job but I think if they want any inroads, then he has to stand,' he said.

'He has to be the leader of the party. He has to stand in the election, because I mean, Richard Tice, I've got a lot of time for Richard, but knock on doors in Ashfield and nobody's ever heard of him.'

Arron Banks – who helped bankroll Mr Farage's Leave EU campaign – told the Sunday Times that he had spoken to 'five or six' Tory donors who could be persuaded to back Reform.

He also said that 'a couple' of Conservative MPs could defect. Mr Farage previously persuaded two Tory MPs to join Ukip.