The latest blow to the 'unite the right' strategy has been delivered, as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch firmly rejects the idea of an electoral pact with Reform UK. With the party's recent by-election performances casting a spotlight on its vulnerabilities, Ms Badenoch asserts that recent results have "put paid" to any notion of a joint electoral effort. The rejection is not only a significant blow to Reform UK but also raises questions about Nigel Farage's £5 million gift from Thai-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, which has been at the centre of an ongoing parliamentary standards investigation.
Ms Badenoch's criticism of Mr Farage's explanation for the substantial sum is direct and biting. Initially, he cited it as a personal lifetime security cost, before later claiming it was a reward for his Brexit campaigning efforts. In response to this, Ms Badenoch stated that "nobody gets £5m in their pocket for nothing", suggesting that her readers would not be fooled by Mr Farage's claims. The parliamentary standards commissioner is currently investigating whether the gift should have been declared.
The results of Thursday's by-elections served as a significant catalyst for Ms Badenoch's decision, with Labour securing a resounding victory in Makerfield and the Scottish Conservatives taking Aberdeen South. Reform UK finished third in both contests, further undermining its prospects of forming an alliance with the Conservatives. According to sources, Ms Badenoch argued that a pact would have diminished any Conservative victory, stating "a win 'helped' by Reform would have been no real win at all." The party's leader highlighted the fundamental differences between the two parties, insisting "we are not the same" and that voters will not be swayed by electoral pacts.
In response to Ms Badenoch's rejection of an alliance, a spokesperson for Reform UK stated that their party would not engage with the Conservatives. They claimed "they broke Britain and we won't give them another chance," highlighting their own growing confidence in their national polling position. As the two parties continue to navigate this complicated landscape, one thing is clear: only time will tell if an 'unite the right' strategy is still on the table.