Kemi Badenoch has firmly ruled out any possibility of formal or informal pacts between the Conservative Party and Reform UK at the council level, just a day after hinting that such cooperation might be possible. In an interview with the Sun published today, the Conservative leader stated that Reform councillors are not 'serious' and that the Tories have no intention of helping them.
Badenoch's Shift on Potential Cooperation
Just yesterday, Badenoch gave an interview to Sky News in which she suggested she would be happy to see Conservative councillors working with Reform UK councillors to deliver rightwing policies. However, in her latest comments, she rowed back on that position. She told the Sun: 'We're not doing deals with Reform. I don't want to see us helping Reform. A lot of people in Reform are people we kicked out. Conservative councillors don't want to work with Reform because they're not serious.'
Implications for Local Government
This firm stance comes amid speculation that the two parties might collaborate to challenge Labour and other rivals in local elections. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has been gaining traction in some areas, but Badenoch's dismissal suggests the Conservatives see little value in aligning with them. The comments also highlight internal tensions, as some Conservative members have advocated for closer ties with Reform to consolidate the right-wing vote.
Badenoch's remarks are likely to be welcomed by traditional Conservatives who view Reform as a splinter group that has siphoned off Tory votes in recent elections. However, they may frustrate those who believe a united right-wing front is necessary to counter the Labour Party's dominance. The response from Reform UK is expected to be critical, with the party likely to accuse the Conservatives of being out of touch with voters who have defected to Reform.
This development comes at a crucial time for both parties, with local elections approaching and the Conservatives seeking to rebuild after a series of electoral setbacks. Badenoch's clear rejection of any deals with Reform underscores her determination to draw a distinct line between the two parties, even if it means potentially splitting the right-wing vote.
