Some Tories 'probably racists', admits party's own vice-chairman as he eyes deal ... - Mirror.co.uk

Some Tories are probably racists, the party's own vice-chairman admitted yesterday.

Michael Fabricant, the Conservative campaign chief, was arguing for an electoral pact with the anti-Brussels UK Independence Party.

Prime Minister David Cameron has dismissed Ukip in the past as "fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists".

Asked about that on the BBC, Mr Fabricant said: "The truth is some UKIP members are (closet racists)."

But the former party whip added: "I'm going to be very controversial now and say some Conservative members might well be – and some Labour members."

His frank admission and his support for a pact will fuel anger in the PM's team in Downing Street.

Mr Cameron is desperate to play down the threat posed by Ukip. He is now facing calls for a tougher stand on the European Union from his own MPs.

A Number 10 source slapped down the idea, saying: "To be absolutely clear, there will be no pact with Ukip of any sort."

Ukip leader Nigel Farage said that the PM himself was the major obstacle to any deal between them and the Tories.

But that could change if an anti-EU Tory Cabinet minister such as Michael Gove was in charge, he added.

Mr Farage said: "If Cameron went and somebody ­pragmatic, grown-up and sensible like Michael Gove was leader, we might think then that we could sit round a table and have a proper discussion.

"Open-minded, doesn't throw abuse around and thinks issues through — he would be the right kind of person."

According to Mr Fabricant, teaming up with Ukip could save Tory seats and deliver the majority that the party missed out on at the last general election.

The Conservatives could promise a referendum on EU membership after 2015 in return for Ukip not fielding candidates.

When they do they split the right-wing vote in critical seats.

Ukip beat the Liberal Democrats into fourth place at the recent Corby by-election and are showing figures of up to 9% of the vote in the opinion polls.

Mr Fabricant, in charge of marginal seat strategy, said: "The Conservative party might well win the 2015 General Election on our own.

"But a pact with Ukip on clear terms could deliver 20 extra seats."

Leading Tory Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said that voters have had enough of pacts and coalitions.

"What they want is to see parties standing up for what they believe in," he said.