Kemi Badenoch has been pushed by some Conservative MPs to strike an understanding with Reform UK ahead of the next general election.
A number of Tory MPs are calling to “unite the Right,” suggesting either Conservative or Reform candidates could stand down in selected seats to stop the right-wing vote splitting.
The pressure follows claims after Keir Starmer announced his resignation last week, alongside talk that Labour’s next leader could trigger an early general election to strengthen their position.
Badenoch has already rejected any electoral pact with Nigel Farage, insisting the two parties are “not the same.”
But unease is growing inside her party. One Conservative MP told the Telegraph the aim should be to stop another Labour majority or a “hard-Left coalition” with the SNP, Greens and Lib Dems, arguing the Conservatives and Reform should avoid splitting votes and start coordinating sooner rather than later.
Another MP said the Right “absolutely must unite,” warning that if they don’t, the Left will. They added that some form of agreement between the two sides would likely be needed eventually, even if the details are still unclear.
Ideas being discussed also include toning down attacks on each other during campaigns and aligning messaging to encourage tactical voting.
A new site, Unite the Right UK, has also appeared, using polling data to suggest which party—Reform or Conservative—has the best chance in different seats under tactical voting scenarios.
Another Tory MP said it was “critically important” that like-minded voters don’t end up competing against each other, claiming both sides will eventually realise they can’t win alone.
Edward Leigh also weighed in, calling it a “mathematical certainty” that splitting the right-wing vote under first-past-the-post hands power to Labour or a wider left-leaning alliance. He added he understands Badenoch’s current stance but warned of concern about another Labour government or a broader coalition.
Reform, however, has repeatedly ruled out any deal with the Conservatives, with Nigel Farage saying working with them would be “ludicrous” after what he described as years of dishonesty.
