British Prime Minister David Cameron has been accused of betraying his own party after suggesting it would be preferable for Britain to have a socialist government within the European Union (EU) than a Conservative government after Brexit.

When asked whether Britain would be “stronger, safer and better off” in the EU under a Labour government or out under his own party, Mr Cameron said the EU referendum was the more important decision.

You can always “get rid” of political parties at Westminster every five years, he added, but the Brexit vote would be “impossible to reverse”.

Conservative MPs and Leave campaigners have reacted with fury at the Prime Minister’s comments, however.

The Telegraph quotes a senior source within the cabinet as saying: “Members of the Conservative party, grassroots supporters and MPs worked incredibly hard to deliver a Conservative majority at last year’s election.

“For the Prime Minister to now hint that a Labour Government could be a positive prospect is a kick in the teeth that some people will see as a betrayal.

“It’s an extraordinary position for the leader of the party to take.”

The Prime Minister has faced increasing criticism and ridicule as he ramps up the rhetoric over the potential disaster that could befall Britain if it votes to leave the EU.

Earlier this month he suggested that war may soon follow in the event of Brexit, saying that Britain acts as a peacekeeper in Europe.

“Isolationism has never served this country well. Whenever we turn our back on Europe, sooner or later we come to regret it. We have always had to go back in, and always at much higher cost,” he said.

He has also previously faced criticism for snubbing his own party after delivering a pro-EU speech at Exeter University to which members of the Labour and Liberal Democrat student societies were invited, but not the Conservative society.

One Conservative student commented: “What should have been a fantastic, shining opportunity to meet someone, that many of the University of Exeter Conservative Association see as a political juggernaut, has been shrouded with confusion, miscommunication, and opaqueness.”

“I can hardly believe that Conservative Association committee, let alone society members, have not at the very least been invited.”