The national leader of the UK Independence Party, Nigel Farage, has blocked attempts by his Watford branch to offer the town’s Conservative MP a potential electoral pact.

Yesterday the chairman Watford UKIP, Renie Price, said she would be open to doing a deal with MP Richard Harrington if committed to taking a tough Eurosceptic line at the next General Election.

However Mr Farage has since scotched the idea telling the Watford Observer the move is not UKIP policy.

He said: "While one always admires optimism, I think the Watford branch's statement shows remarkable faith in a career politician who is known to be close to David Cameron, the Prime Minister who has categorically ruled out any referendum on Europe.

"This does not reflect party policy, and we are not fooled by Conservative MPs on small majorities who suddenly discover that they're Eurosceptics after years of being precisely the opposite."

Watford UKIP’s electoral overtures to Mr Harrington had been prompted by his holding a joint debate with Hertsmere MP James Clappison on the EU last week.

Mr Harrington voted against proposals for a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU in October, after which he said he has received a high level of correspondence over the issue.

Yesterday Ms Price said Watford UKIP had been encouraged to see Mr Harrington giving the EU issue more time lately.

She said if he was willing to make commitments to support a referendum at the next opportunity the anti-EU party could potentially back him at the next election.

Mr Harrington is currently unavailable for comment.