Robert Jenrick last night ruled out jumping ship as Nigel Farage was urged to woo the top Tory to Reform.

Senior figures in Mr Farage's party are pushing him to try to secure the defection of the Shadow Justice Secretary, arguing it would beef up his top team – and deal a ­hammer blow to the Tories.

One said voters on the Right could be united if Mr Jenrick 'joined forces' with Reform.

The source suggested Mr Farage could tempt him with the offer of being the party's ­chancellor in government. That suggestion is likely to ­irritate deputy leader Richard Tice and policy chief Zia Yusuf, who both covet the job.

Mr Farage yesterday dismissed claims he is plotting a pre-­election pact with the Conservatives, despite persistent rumours he is open to a deal.

Meanwhile, allies, believe Mr Jenrick, who has made no secret of his ambition to lead the Conservatives, could be tempted to defect because the improvement in Kemi Badenoch's recent ­performances has made a leadership contest less likely. 

However, Mr Jenrick yesterday ruled out switching parties, telling Times Radio: 'It wasn't very long ago that I was running to be leader of the Conservative Party so I'm not going anywhere.'

An ally of Mr Jenrick also rubbished claims he is 'downbeat' about his prospects following Mrs Badenoch's revival.

'I wish he was downbeat,' the source joked. 'He's wearing the team down with his constant ideas for his next campaign.

'He genuinely enjoys his brief – it's hard not to have fun ­opposing Calamity Lammy.'

Mr Farage yesterday denied a report in the Financial Times claiming he has told party donors he expects to cut an election deal with the Conservatives.

He is said to have floated a ­variety of ideas, including a takeover, a merger or a looser electoral pact which would see the two parties try to maximise the chances of ousting Labour. 

But, he described the claim as 'false' saying 'sometimes people hear what they want to'.

He added: 'After next May, the Conservatives will no longer be a national party.

'I would never do a deal with a party that I don't trust. No deals, just a reverse takeover. A deal with them as they are would cost us votes.'

The Conservatives also ruled out a deal with Reform.

 Asked about the prospect, a spokesman for Mrs Badenoch said: ­'Absolutely, 100 per cent, ­categorically no. There will be no pact with a higher welfare, higher spending party like Reform.'