Farage says deal with Tories ‘as they are’ would cost Reform UK votes, as he denies election pact – UK politics live

Reform UK leader says report of an election deal with Conservatives is ‘false’, but suggests only under their current leadership

Labour says the Financial Times story (see 9.33am) shows that Nigel Farage is willing to be propped up by the Conservative party. A Labour spokesperson said:

Nigel Farage isn’t even hiding it anymore – he’s happy for failed Tories to prop up his party, whether they choose to join Reform or not.

The Conservatives broke public services and hammered family finances. They and Reform would inflict Tory austerity on Britain all over again, meaning savage cuts to local schools and hospitals.

One donor said Farage told them he expected to do a deal with the Tories, whether it be a merger or an agreement on co-operation between the two parties, to ease Reform’s route to election victory.

The person added that the Reform leader said such a deal could only be done on his terms, in part because Farage felt betrayed after the pact he made with the Tories at the 2019 election.

A false story in the FT tonight claims Reform would do a deal with the Tories.

After 14 years of dishonesty & lies they should never be forgiven. The idea I’d work with them is ludicrous.

They betrayed my trust in 2019 & we will ensure they cease to be a national party in May.

After next May, the Conservatives will no longer be a national party.

I would never do a deal with a party that I don’t trust. No deals, just a reverse takeover. A deal with them as they are would cost us votes.

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Source: www.theguardian.com

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