Reform UK has been branded "too nasty for the nasty party" after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed a coalition with Nigel Farage's party, saying she would rather fight two general elections in quick succession than form an alliance.
Speaking at the Conservative annual conference in Birmingham, Mrs Badenoch batted away questions about her party's electoral prospects, insisting Tory members felt "happy because we know who we are". But splits have emerged, with former Tory Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg telling conference-goers they would be "bonkers" not to support a Tory-Reform coalition.
Critics mock right-wing coalition prospect
Labour critics mocked the prospect of a right-wing coalition, saying both parties would offer a "reckless right-wing government" whether they joined forces or not. Labour MP Mike Tapp said: "There's lots of talk of a general election but to my knowledge the government has a massive majority. It would be bonkers to throw that away for some sort of chaotic coalition. We now have a crazy left and a nasty right. It seems Reform are too nasty for the nasty party."
TUC chief Paul Nowak said: "After their crushing defeat in 2024, the Tories thought they could win back votes by copying Farage's homework, echoing his poisonous rhetoric, and even handing him some of their MPs. Whether it's the Tories or Reform, it's the same offer. A reckless right-wing government, ripping up workers' rights, and siding with vested interests and the super-rich. Working people deserve better than that."
Badenoch: 'We are the only credible alternative'
Mrs Badenoch told Sky News: "If there's an election now, there'd be a hung parliament. But actually the thing about an election is that people get to see what is really out there. What is the offer... We are the only credible alternative to Labour. No one else is." She added: "Let me be clear and answer your question. If there is a hung parliament, then we can have another election. We had this in 1974. It's not about, do a deal with Reform or don't be in government. In 1974, there were two elections. I believe that the public will see who is serious and who is not."
Asked if her party's cheery mood meant it was collectively in denial, Mrs Badenoch told the BBC: "We are feeling chipper because we are going back to first principles." She acknowledged the party was "not out of the woods yet" after its 2024 general election defeat.
Inheritance tax speculation and national insurance pledge
Mrs Badenoch's comments come as she prepares to deliver a major speech to the Tory conference on Wednesday. She is widely tipped to announce a plan to slash inheritance tax, which brought in over £7billion to the Treasury in the 2023-24 financial year but was only paid on 4.7% of all estates due to rules allowing married couples to combine their tax-free allowances of £325,000.
On the penultimate day of the conference, the Tories also pledged to halve employers' national insurance on jobs worked by young people if they win power. The flat rate for firms would be slashed from 15% to 7.5% for workers aged 21 to 24 at an estimated cost of £2.3billion. A Labour spokesman hit back, saying: "This is yet more fantasy economics from the Tories. Kemi Badenoch pretends to be on the side of young people but her party allowed nearly one million of the next generation to be locked out of work or training."
According to YouGov polling published on Tuesday, Labour is five percentage points ahead on 27%, Reform UK is on 22%, and the Tories are third on 20%. The polling also showed 46% of voters said the Tories had changed 'not very much' or 'not at all' under Mrs Badenoch's leadership, while just 7% said a 'great deal'.
