Badenoch Rules Out Reform UK Coalition, Vows Fresh Election Instead

Kemi Badenoch has stated she would prefer to trigger another general election rather than enter into a power-sharing arrangement with Reform UK, should the next national vote fail to produce a clear winner. The Conservative Party leader made the remarks during an interview with the BBC, drawing a firm line against any post-election deal with Nigel Farage's outfit.

In her comments, Badenoch characterised Reform UK as being deeply mired in controversy, arguing that any partnership with the party would generate a continuous stream of difficulties. She insisted that her party remains the only credible option for voters seeking an alternative to the current Labour government.

The Conservative leader's position comes amid polling that indicates a hung parliament is the most likely outcome at the next general election. Current projections place Labour as the largest single party, with Reform UK and the Conservatives trailing behind in second and third positions respectively.

Badenoch has been working to reshape the Conservatives' public image following the party's significant defeat in the 2024 general election. She recently published a 100-page policy document titled "The Right Way," which outlines the party's core principles and signals a return to what she describes as the authentic Conservative Party that voters previously supported.

Speaking to BBC Political Editor Chris Mason, Badenoch acknowledged the volatility of contemporary politics while expressing cautious optimism about her party's electoral prospects. She noted that while current polling suggests no single party will secure an overall majority, this political landscape creates opportunities for the Conservatives to present themselves as the sole viable alternative to Labour.

When pressed on a hypothetical scenario in which the Conservatives would be the largest party and Reform UK would hold significant parliamentary seats in a hung parliament, Badenoch remained resolute. She stated that a vote for conservative values requires a vote for the Conservative Party, and she reiterated her commitment to calling another election if no party achieves an outright majority.

The Conservative leader also extended an invitation to Reform UK supporters, urging them to return to the Conservative fold. She cited several controversies involving Reform UK figures as reasons why voters should reconsider their allegiance. Among these, she referenced the arrest of Dan Thomas, who resigned as Reform's leader in Wales last month following his arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. Thomas has denied any wrongdoing.

Badenoch additionally highlighted the case of Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, who received a prison sentence of ten and a half years after admitting to accepting bribes in exchange for conducting pro-Russia interviews and speeches. She also pointed to the intense scrutiny Farage has faced regarding financial support, including a £5 million gift from a billionaire Reform donor before he became an MP. Farage has consistently maintained he has done nothing improper.

Beyond the question of electoral alliances, Badenoch used the interview to outline her policy priorities. She emphasised her focus on economic growth, increasing national prosperity, halting illegal immigration, and implementing comprehensive plans for borders, welfare, defence, and reducing energy costs. These commitments, she argued, represent the core of what her party stands for.

On the policy front, Badenoch announced a significant adjustment to the Conservatives' approach to youth employment. The party is now proposing to halve the rate of employer National Insurance contributions from 15% to 7.5% for workers aged 21 to 24. This replaces an earlier plan, announced last year, which would have redirected the first £5,000 of National Insurance paid by young people in their first jobs into nominated savings accounts.

The previous policy, labelled the "First Job Bonus," was estimated to cost £2.8 billion annually. Badenoch explained that youth unemployment has risen sharply, making it impractical to offer a bonus for first jobs when young people are struggling to secure employment in the first place. She described the new approach as an adaptation to address the current challenges facing young workers.

According to the Conservatives, the revised policy targets starter jobs specifically, with the standard rate applying to earnings above £50,270. The party argues this measure will smooth the "cliff edge" that currently exists when employer National Insurance jumps from 0% to the full rate once a worker turns 21. The government has faced pressure to reduce employer National Insurance contributions for younger workers as a means of boosting job opportunities, particularly given that approximately one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment, or training.

When questioned about why the Conservatives were not proposing National Insurance cuts for all age groups, Badenoch stressed the importance of fiscal responsibility. She explained that the party operates under a "golden economic rule" requiring them to identify savings before committing to spending. While she expressed a desire to cut National Insurance for everyone if resources permitted, she maintained that the current economic climate demands a targeted approach.

Senior Conservative figures are reportedly discussing what they view as a potential tipping point in public support between their party and Reform UK. The hope within Tory ranks is that if they can draw level with Reform and then establish even a modest lead in opinion polls, they can build a compelling case that they represent the only realistic path to removing Labour from power. This, they believe, could attract additional support as the election approaches.

Badenoch has consistently ruled out any pre-election deal with Reform UK, describing the party as an entity intent on destroying the Conservatives. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated last month that he was not inclined to call an early general election, arguing that doing so would plunge the country into a backward-looking process. The next general election must legally be held by August 2029.

Farage has previously claimed that Reform UK has effectively replaced what he called the "old fuddy-duddy existing Conservative Party." This assertion underscores the competitive dynamic between the two parties as they vie for similar segments of the electorate. The coming months will test whether Badenoch's strategy of distancing herself from Reform while simultaneously courting its supporters can yield electoral dividends.