Reform UK has marked a new polling high as an expert warned the party could “really hurt” the Conservatives.

The survey by Savanta put the insurgent party led by Richard Tice up two points on 10%.

The company said it was the highest-ever vote share it has recorded for Reform since it was rebranded from the Brexit Party in January 2021.

The polling put Labour in the lead on 44%, up two points, while the Conservatives were down two on 26%.

Chris Hopkins, political research director at Savanta, said: “Ahead of the Rochdale by-election and a make-or-break spring budget, our findings will not make pretty reading for the Conservative Party. Labour’s wobble, if there ever was one, appears to have stabilised.

“Reform recording their highest-ever vote share in a Savanta poll is notable, but I remain sceptical of their electoral prowess.

“They certainly have the potential to really hurt the Conservatives at the next election, but their voters are not just Tories-in-disguise.

“Mobilising their supporters will be incredibly important if they are to achieve anything like a 10% vote share at the actual general election.”

Polls carried out by other companies have put support for Reform as high as 13%.

Meanwhile, the party came third in the Wellingborough and Kingswood by-elections earlier this month with 13% and 10% respectively.

Mr Tice has vowed to stand candidates in all seats in Great Britain at the next general election and has ruled out any deals with the Tories.