Reform UK and the Conservative Party have both denied planning any merger or electoral pact ahead of the next election, despite a Financial Times report suggesting Nigel Farage privately views such a deal as inevitable. The denials come as both parties compete for right-wing voters and Labour seeks to exploit divisions.
Reform donors told the Financial Times that Farage expects a future arrangement with the Conservatives, which would eliminate a rival and boost Reform's electoral prospects. Farage himself told the outlet: «Sometimes people hear what they want to. After next May the Conservatives will no longer be a national party.»
A Reform UK source dismissed the report as untrue. However, Farage's own comments to the Financial Times included: «I would never do a deal with a party that I do not trust. No deals, just a reverse takeover.»
A Conservative spokesman rejected any cooperation under Kemi Badenoch's leadership. The spokesman said: «Under Kemi Badenoch's leadership the Conservatives will not be considering any deals or pacts. Reform want higher welfare spending and to cosy up to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin. Only the Conservatives have the team, the plan and the backbone to deliver.»
Labour accused both parties of plotting against voters. A Labour spokesperson said: «Nigel Farage isn't even hiding it any more – he's happy for failed Tories to prop up his party, whether they choose to join Reform or not. The Conservatives broke public services and hammered family finances. They and Reform would inflict Tory austerity on Britain all over again, meaning savage cuts to local schools and hospitals.»
The spokesperson added: «This shady backroom plot will send a shiver down the spine of people up and down the country, and shows you simply can't trust Nigel Farage. Only Labour is focused on cutting the cost of living for families, reducing NHS waiting lists and bringing down the national debt.»
Several former Conservative figures, including ex-minister Jonathan Gullis, have already defected to Reform UK.
Brexit becomes political battleground
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has intensified Labour's criticism of Brexit, arguing the current deal has «significantly hurt our economy». Speaking at the annual Lady Mayor's Banquet in the City of London on Tuesday, Starmer said the UK must «confront the reality» of Brexit's economic damage.
The Prime Minister called for moving towards «a closer relationship with the EU», warning this would «require trade-offs». He said: «Let me be crystal clear, there is no credible economic vision for Britain that does not position us as an open, trading economy.»
Starmer added: «So we must all now confront the reality that the Brexit deal we have significantly hurt our economy and so for economic renewal, we have to keep reducing frictions.»
Farage responded sharply to Starmer's comments in the Daily Express. He wrote: «According to Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer the real blame for our economic disaster lies with the 17.4million British people who dared to vote for Brexit in the 2016 EU referendum.»
Writing in the Daily Express, Farage dismissed Starmer's argument as deflection from Chancellor Rachel Reeves' tax-raising Budget. He said: «Few will be fooled by Starmer's transparent attempt to shift the spotlight away from his Chancellor and her disastrous Budget.»
Farage positioned Reform UK as the party that «can be trusted to fix broken Britain». He outlined Reform's agenda: «We will cut public spending, slash red tape, remove EU rules and be on the side of the small businesses and working people who make up alarm clock Britain.»
He added: «We will also finally make good on the promise on Brexit, by taking back control of Britain's borders, laws and money.» Farage concluded: «And we will never try to blame British voters for the problems created by the establishment's own failures.»
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
