Kemi Badenoch has slammed Reform UK’s internal turmoil as she ruled out any electoral pact with Nigel Farage’s party. The Conservative leader said voters would reject a “monstrous Reform-Conservative hybrid” and insisted the Tories must win power alone.

Badenoch delivers a blunt rejection

Speaking at the Edinburgh Fringe, Badenoch dismissed Reform as a party where “people [are] fighting all the time”. She also mocked Farage, saying he “dictates what he wants depending on what he had for breakfast that day”.

Her intervention shuts down renewed speculation about cooperation between the two parties, despite their overlapping positions on issues including immigration and crime.

Badenoch pointed to the Conservatives’ victory in the Aberdeen South by-election as evidence that the party can win without Reform standing aside. A deal, she argued, would allow opponents to claim Tory victories depended on Reform support.

Reform row gives Badenoch ammunition

Her attack comes as Reform faces a fresh internal dispute after Tim Montgomerie was suspended following criticism of home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf.

Montgomerie has accused the party of suppressing dissent and told the BBC’s Newsnight he would fight the suspension. He said he wanted to remain in Reform and argued its policies on immigration, crime and welfare were right for Britain.

Reform has defended the decision, saying complaints about Montgomerie’s conduct had been building for months. A senior source insisted disagreements should be handled privately rather than through the national media.

The right remains divided despite electoral pressure

The clash highlights the growing tension on the British right. Reform has sought to challenge the Conservatives directly, while Badenoch is attempting to rebuild the Tories as a standalone governing force.

For now, she is drawing a hard line against cooperation. Her message is clear: the Conservatives do not want to merge with Reform, share its identity or rely on Farage to return to power.

Kemi Badenoch rules out ‘monstrous’ pact with Reform UK | The Independent

2 minutes ago, bannork said:

Kemi Badenoch has slammed Reform UK’s internal turmoil as she ruled out any electoral pact with Nigel Farage’s party. The Conservative leader said voters would reject a “monstrous Reform-Conservative hybrid” and insisted the Tories must win power alone.

Badenoch delivers a blunt rejection

Speaking at the Edinburgh Fringe, Badenoch dismissed Reform as a party where “people [are] fighting all the time”. She also mocked Farage, saying he “dictates what he wants depending on what he had for breakfast that day”.

Her intervention shuts down renewed speculation about cooperation between the two parties, despite their overlapping positions on issues including immigration and crime.

Badenoch pointed to the Conservatives’ victory in the Aberdeen South by-election as evidence that the party can win without Reform standing aside. A deal, she argued, would allow opponents to claim Tory victories depended on Reform support.

Reform row gives Badenoch ammunition

Her attack comes as Reform faces a fresh internal dispute after Tim Montgomerie was suspended following criticism of home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf.

Montgomerie has accused the party of suppressing dissent and told the BBC’s Newsnight he would fight the suspension. He said he wanted to remain in Reform and argued its policies on immigration, crime and welfare were right for Britain.

Reform has defended the decision, saying complaints about Montgomerie’s conduct had been building for months. A senior source insisted disagreements should be handled privately rather than through the national media.

The right remains divided despite electoral pressure

The clash highlights the growing tension on the British right. Reform has sought to challenge the Conservatives directly, while Badenoch is attempting to rebuild the Tories as a standalone governing force.

For now, she is drawing a hard line against cooperation. Her message is clear: the Conservatives do not want to merge with Reform, share its identity or rely on Farage to return to power.

Advertisement

Kemi Badenoch rules out ‘monstrous’ pact with Reform UK | The Independent

Imagine that - the current Tories merging with the failed Tories!

1 hour ago, bannork said:

and insisted the Tories must win power alone.

lol, they've got no chance, not after the last 6 or 7 years of absolute shenanigans.