To the parties of opposition, about whom some rather interesting stories have emerged. The Financial Times has reported today that Nigel Farage has told his donors that he expects Reform UK to do an election deal with the Tories. The report describes how a donor claimed the Reform leader thought a pact with Kemi Badenoch’s lot could be done if it was on his terms, while an associate who met with Farage recently insisted the Clacton MP thought a deal was inevitable. But those willing the two groups to put aside their differences and warmly embrace may be feeling disappointed today, after both sides have publicly stated they are opposed to an electoral pact.
Farage was quick to take to Twitter to shoot down the FT story, fuming it was ‘false’ before adding: ‘After 14 years of dishonesty and lies they should never be forgiven. The idea I’d work with them is ludicrous. They betrayed my trust in 2019 and we will ensure they cease to be a national party in May.’ Ouch. There’s not much love lost there, then…
And the Tories have come out swinging too. When quizzed on Times Radio whether he believed Farage had said these things to his donors, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick replied:
I’ve no idea, Stig. I can’t speculate on what Nigel might have said at a boozy lunch in the city to his mates. All I can say is that my leader, Kemi Badenoch, said there won’t be a deal. Nigel Farage has said there won’t be a deal, so there won’t be a deal.
There won’t be a deal. The two, these are two distinct political parties and their respective leaders have said no deal. So it’s as simple as that.
Of course, the parties are not exactly worlds apart – and the trickle of former Tories into Reform certainly raises questions about what the future of both groups may hold. The Tories continue to trail far behind Reform in the polls, however Mr S has heard on the Westminster rumour mill that Farage’s group is becoming a little anxious about peaking too early ahead of the 2029 election. Stay tuned…
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