In a dramatic political intervention that has sent shockwaves through Westminster, former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major has launched a scathing attack on his own party's potential alliance with Reform UK, branding the concept "beyond stupid."
The respected ex-PM, who led the country from 1990 to 1997, didn't mince words in his condemnation of what he sees as a dangerous flirtation with Nigel Farage's party. His comments come amid growing speculation about potential electoral cooperation between the two right-wing movements.
A Stark Warning From Experience
Sir John argued that such an alliance would fundamentally damage Britain's international reputation and undermine the moderate, pragmatic conservatism he represented during his premiership.
"The Conservative Party must decide what it stands for," Major declared, suggesting that embracing Reform's more extreme positions would represent a betrayal of traditional Tory values. His intervention carries particular weight given his experience navigating difficult political waters during his own time in Number 10.
The International Dimension
Perhaps most significantly, the former Prime Minister highlighted how a Tory-Reform pact would be perceived on the world stage. He warned that Britain would risk being seen as aligning with "fringe elements" rather than maintaining its position as a reliable international partner.
This comes at a particularly sensitive time for UK foreign relations, with global challenges requiring stable, consistent leadership rather than what Major implied would be perceived as political opportunism.
Divided Loyalties, Damaged Brand
The core of Major's argument centres on the identity crisis facing the modern Conservative Party. By considering an alliance with Reform, he suggests, the Tories risk alienating their traditional base while failing to attract sufficient new support to make the gamble worthwhile.
His comments reflect deep concern among moderate Conservatives about the direction their party is taking and the potential long-term damage to its brand and electoral prospects.
As the political landscape continues to shift, this intervention from one of the party's elder statesmen adds significant weight to the internal debate about the Conservatives' future direction and values.
