Labour is “war gaming” the possibility of Nigel Farage becoming Tory leader, according to reports.
A special unit led by shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth is meeting twice a week to prepare in case Rishi Sunak is ousted.
Its work has been accelerated following the launch of the right-wing Popular Conservatism movement earlier this month.
A Labour source told HuffPost: “It’s the worst kept secret in Westminster that the PopCons are organising a hostile takeover of the Tory Party.
“But increasingly Sunak finds himself caught in their pincer movement. His weakness is shocking. It means he could be toppled any moment. We have to be ready for that.”
The unit is looking at what impact Mr Farage could have on British politics if he became Tory leader.
A source said: “With Farage you have to be prepared for anything.”
It comes amid intense speculation over whether the Brexit architect will make a return to frontline politics.
There have been suggestions Mr Farage could rejoin the Conservatives, but he has ruled out the move while Mr Sunak is leader.
Former prime minister Liz Truss, who spearheads the Popular Conservatism group, last week said she would welcome Mr Farage into the Tory fold.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the US, she said: “I would like him to become a member of the Conservative Party and help turn our country around.”
Mr Farage, who is currently honorary president of Reform UK, quit the Tories in 1992 over the signing of an EU treaty and went on to found Ukip and the Brexit Party.
There have been suggestions Mr Farage, who is currently honorary president of Reform UK, could rejoin the Conservatives but he has ruled out the move while Mr Sunak is leader.
Former prime minister Liz Truss, who spearheads the Popular Conservatism group, last week said she would welcome Mr Farage into the Tory fold.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the US, she said: “I would like him to become a member of the Conservative Party and help turn our country around.”
Mr Farage quit the Tories in 1992 over the signing of an EU treaty and went on to found Ukip and the Brexit Party.
