Nigel Farage has allegedly told donors he expects a deal or merger between his Reform UK party and the Conservatives before the next general election, despite publicly rejecting such claims. The revelation comes as Reform leads the Conservatives in polls by a significant margin of 29% to 17%.
The Financial Times reported that Farage informed high-profile Reform donors that an alliance was anticipated. Farage's alleged terms for any agreement would favor Reform due to its stronger polling position. One Reform donor stated: «They will have to come together,» adding that the Conservatives had historically succeeded «because the left was always divided . . . If the right is divided, it can't win.»
Public denials from both parties
Farage publicly rejected the reports, telling the Financial Times: «sometimes people hear what they want to.» He predicted a grim future for the Conservatives, stating: «After next May, the Conservatives will no longer be a national party,» referring to upcoming devolved and local elections.
The Reform UK leader made clear his distrust of any pact. «I would never do a deal with a party that I don't trust. No deals, just a reverse takeover,» Farage told the Financial Times. He added that «a deal with them as they are would cost us votes.»
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch firmly rejected claims of any merger or pact. Earlier this year, she stated: «I am the custodian of an institution that has existed for nigh on 200 years . . . I can't just treat it like it's a toy and have pacts and mergers.» A Conservative spokesperson dismissed Reform's positions, claiming the party wanted «higher welfare spending and to cosy up to [Russian president Vladimir] Putin.»
Wave of Conservative defections
Reform UK has successfully attracted 20 former Conservative MPs since last year, including high-profile figures such as Nadine Dorries, Jonathan Gullis, Jake Berry, and Maria Caulfield. Danny Kruger became the first sitting Conservative MP to join Reform in September, marking a significant shift in the party's parliamentary presence.
The defections come as Reform has eroded Tory support through hardline stances on migration and crime. Farage has accused the Conservatives of betraying their 2019 election deal with the Brexit Party by permitting record migration levels.
Electoral challenges ahead
Despite Reform's strong polling numbers, converting this support into actual power remains challenging. Anthony Wells, head of politics and elections at YouGov, noted that Reform is «miles ahead in the polls» but warned that tactical voting by liberal and left-leaning voters could prevent Farage from gaining power.
YouGov polling indicated many Tory voters would not support Farage, potentially leading to «some leakage from right to left,» even if the alternative is Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Under the UK's first-past-the-post electoral system, a divided right-wing vote could enable opponents to unite and win seats.
Financial data from the Electoral Commission shows the Conservatives raised £6.3mn in donations during the first half of the year, three times more than Reform's £2.1mn. The next general election must be held by August 2029.
A Labour party spokesperson criticized the potential alliance, stating: «Nigel Farage isn't even hiding it any more – he's happy for failed Tories to prop up his party, whether they choose to join Reform or not.» Labour warned that a Tory-Reform alliance would «inflict Tory austerity on Britain all over again, meaning savage cuts to local schools and hospitals.»
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
