Kemi Badenoch has indicated a willingness to work more closely with Reform UK, dismissing any "red lines" when it comes to partnering with Nigel Farage. In an interview with The Spectator, the Tory leader emphasized the importance of building a coalition with like-minded individuals. Badenoch stated, "I’ve always said we need to make sure we build a coalition of people who share our values. There are many people who vote Conservative who will not vote Reform. What I’m trying to do is maintain the coalition that we do have."
Controversy and Accusations
Recent remarks by Badenoch about fear in Lagos during her upbringing sparked criticism from Nigerian vice-president Kashim Shettima, who accused her of denigrating his country. Despite this, Badenoch's focus remains on strengthening alliances within her party and beyond.
Nigel Farage's Rising Influence
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, is gaining traction as a potential candidate to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister in the next election. According to Ladbrokes, Farage is currently leading the race towards Downing Street, surpassing both Badenoch and Labour's Angela Rayner in the odds. Additionally, Reform UK's chances of winning the most seats have significantly improved, now standing at 9/4 compared to the initial 16/1.
While the Tories maintain a lead in projected seats for the upcoming election with odds of 6/4, the political landscape appears to be shifting with Farage's increasing influence and Reform UK's growing support.
