Is there any point infiltrating the Tory party?

The recurring story of the summer recess – aside from allegations of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia within the main two parties – has been reports of an influx of Ukip-esque members to the Tories. Today tensions reached boiling point. Following reports that pro-EU Tory MPs are seeing sharp rises in applications to join their local parties amid fears of deselection attempts, Anna Soubry called on Tory chairman Brandon Lewis to suspend a membership drive. He is yet to do so – but a leaked memo to Guido shows CCHQ officials have been offering advice to local Tory organisers on the best methods for refusing membership requests.

The whole incident is curious for a number of reasons. Firstly, a large chunk of the reason David Cameron called an EU referendum in the first place was to try and stave off the threat of Ukip – doesn’t it follow that it’s a good thing if voters are returning? Secondly, it’s not clear there is all that much machinery for these so-called infiltrators to seize control of.