Two Tory MPs have revealed that they are ready to work for John Kerry, the US Democratic presidential candidate.

The Times says their plan has the "tacit approval" of Conservative Central Office.

Alan Duncan, the Tory frontbench spokesman on constitutional affairs, said: "I intend to go over there in the next couple of months. It is partly about making links, but I will also help if I can. I want John Kerry to win."

He is likely to be joined on the Kerry campaign by Simon Burns, the Tory MP for Chelmsford West, who has worked for Kerry in previous elections.

"I am probably a bit of an aberration in the Conservative Party in that I have always identified with the Democrats, but there may be a shift of emphasis going on in our attitude to the current administration," he said.

"I cannot believe myself and Alan are the only Tory MPs who would vote against Bush if we had the chance."