Nigel Farage denies reports of Reform election pact with Tories
Reform leader Nigel Farage has denied an election deal with the Conservatives after reports he told donors he thought a deal between them was inevitable.
In a bid to stem speculation, Mr Farage declared that “the Conservatives will no longer be a national party” after the May 2026 local elections.
He said: “Sometimes people hear what they want. After next May the Conservatives will no longer be a national party.
“I would never make a deal with a party I don’t trust. No deal, just a reverse takeover.”
Mr Farage’s denial Finance Times It reported that Mr Farage had told donors he believed there would be a deal between the two sides, quoting unnamed sources.
One donor who spoke to the FT said Mr Farage had described such a deal as “inevitable” but said it would take some time as he remained cautious about striking a deal between the two.
The Conservatives have also rejected such a deal, with a spokesman saying: “Under the leadership of Kemi Badenoch the Conservatives will not consider any deal or agreement.
“Reform requires higher welfare spending and getting closer to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.
“Only the Conservatives have the team, the plan and the backbone to make this happen.”
Speculation about a Reform-Conservative pact has been mounting after Mr Farage’s party won the third-highest number of votes but only five seats in last year’s general election.
The Reform leader tried to win over Conservative voters by suggesting the party could no longer be trusted after 14 years in power.
As leading figures from the former Conservative Party flock to Reform, former minister Jonathan Gullis is among the latest to be reported to have defected.
However, Reform sources said: Telegram This week it was revealed that former Conservative MPs who have defected to the party are unlikely to stand at the next election due to their performance in government.
A Labor spokesman said: “Nigel Farage isn’t even hiding it anymore; he’s happy the Tories have failed to support his party whether they choose to join Reform or not.
“The Conservatives have gutted public services and shaken family finances. They and Reformation would reintroduce Conservative Party austerity to Britain, meaning brutal cuts to local schools and hospitals.
“This shady backroom scheme will send shivers down the spines of people up and down the country and show you can’t trust Nigel Farage. Labor is solely focused on lowering the cost of living for families, reducing NHS waiting lists and reducing the national debt.”
