A seismic shockwave is rippling through the Conservative Party as explosive new polling reveals that nearly two-thirds of Tory members are demanding an electoral pact with Nigel Farage's Reform UK ahead of the next general election.
The stunning figures expose a deep fracture within Conservative ranks, with grassroots members openly defying Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's leadership and signalling a potential political earthquake in British politics.
Members Revolt Against Leadership
According to the bombshell survey conducted by ConservativeHome, a remarkable 65% of party members support forming an alliance with Reform UK to prevent splitting the right-wing vote. This overwhelming majority represents a direct challenge to the current leadership strategy and reveals growing discontent among the Conservative base.
The polling data suggests that traditional Tory supporters are increasingly willing to embrace Farage's insurgent party, viewing them as natural allies rather than political rivals in the battle against Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
Leadership Resistance Meets Grassroots Anger
Despite the clear message from members, senior Conservative figures including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt have repeatedly dismissed the possibility of any formal arrangement with Reform UK. This disconnect between the leadership and membership threatens to create further internal turmoil as election day approaches.
Political analysts warn that without some form of cooperation, both parties risk splitting the conservative vote in key constituencies, potentially handing victory to Labour candidates across numerous marginal seats.
Farage's Growing Influence
The polling results underscore Nigel Farage's enduring influence over right-wing politics in Britain, despite his official departure from frontline politics. Reform UK, under Richard Tice's leadership but still heavily associated with Farage, has positioned itself as a purer alternative to what some members see as an increasingly centrist Conservative Party.
This internal rebellion comes at a critical juncture for Sunak's premiership, with the Conservative Party trailing significantly in national polls and facing the prospect of a major electoral defeat without a unified right-wing front.
The overwhelming member support for a pact suggests that many Conservatives are willing to embrace more radical policies and alliances in their bid to remain in power, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation between the party's traditional establishment and its increasingly restless base.
