Kemi Badenoch: I'd rather have another election than do a deal with Reform UK
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has ruled out any coalition or deal with Reform UK, stating she would prefer a second general election over working with the party. She characterized Reform as being embroiled in scandal and emphasized a return to 'authentic' Conservative principles.
Why it matters
This stance clarifies the Conservative Party's strategy for a potential hung parliament and highlights the ongoing political friction between the Tories and the populist Reform UK.
Figure caption, Watch: Kemi Badenoch says she wants Reform voters to "come back"
Kemi Badenoch has said she would rather have another general election than do a deal with Reform UK to secure power, if no party wins the next election.
The Conservative Party leader told the BBC that Nigel Farage's Reform are "neck deep in scandal" and joining forces with them would "just be one problem after another".
Polling suggests there would be a hung parliament at the next election, with Labour currently expected to be the largest party followed by Reform and the Tories.
As the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham nears its end, Badenoch has also pledged to cut the cost of hiring 21 to 24-year-olds by halving the rate of employer national insurance (NI) contributions.
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