Badenoch Rules Out Coalition with Reform UK, Vows to Seek Fresh Election Instead

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has declared she would prefer to trigger another general election rather than enter into any governing arrangement with Reform UK, should the next national vote fail to produce a clear winner. In an interview with the BBC, Badenoch characterised Nigel Farage's party as mired in controversy and argued that any partnership with them would generate an unending series of difficulties for her party and the country.

The Conservative leader's remarks come as her party concludes its annual conference in Birmingham, an event that has served as a platform for her attempts to redefine the Tories after their substantial defeat in the 2024 general election. Badenoch has been working to convince voters that the Conservatives have undergone meaningful change since that loss, positioning the party as a credible alternative to the current Labour government.

Current polling indicates that no single party is likely to secure an outright majority at the next election, pointing towards a hung parliament. Under such projections, Labour would emerge as the largest party, with Reform UK and the Conservatives following behind. This scenario raises immediate questions about which parties might combine forces to form a workable government.

Badenoch addressed this possibility directly, stating that if voters want Conservative policies, they must cast their ballots for the Conservative Party. She reaffirmed her commitment to seeking a fresh election in the absence of a clear majority, rather than negotiating a power-sharing agreement with Reform. This position has been a consistent theme in her leadership, having previously ruled out any pre-election deal with Farage's party on the grounds that Reform is actively working to dismantle the Conservatives.

The Conservative leader pointed to several controversies involving Reform UK figures to justify her stance. She referenced Dan Thomas, who stepped down as Reform's Welsh leader last month following his arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. Thomas has maintained his innocence, stating he has done nothing wrong. Badenoch also cited Nathan Gill, the former Reform leader in Wales, who was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison after admitting to accepting bribes in exchange for pro-Russia interviews and speeches.

Beyond these criminal cases, Badenoch highlighted the scrutiny Farage himself has faced regarding financial support, including a five million pound gift from a billionaire Reform donor received before he became an MP. Farage has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to these funds. Badenoch used these examples to argue that aligning with Reform would saddle the Conservatives with perpetual difficulties.

Despite the challenging polling numbers, Badenoch sought to project optimism about her party's prospects. She described the current political landscape as volatile and argued that the Conservatives can win within that context. She has published a 100-page document titled The Right Way, which outlines the party's core principles and represents her effort to steer the Conservatives back towards what she describes as the authentic party that voters previously supported.

The Conservative leader also unveiled a significant policy shift during her conference appearance, announcing plans to reduce employer National Insurance contributions for younger workers. Under the revised proposal, the rate of employer NI on earnings for those aged 21 to 24 would be halved from 15 per cent to 7.5 per cent. This replaces an earlier policy announced last year, which would have redirected the first five thousand pounds of NI paid by young people in their first jobs into a nominated savings account, a scheme estimated to cost 2.8 billion pounds annually.

Badenoch explained the rationale behind the change, noting that youth unemployment has risen sharply and that offering a first job bonus is meaningless if young people cannot secure employment in the first place. She framed the updated policy as an adaptation to current economic challenges. The Conservatives stated that the new measure targets starter jobs specifically, while the standard rate would continue to apply to earnings above the 50,270 pound threshold.

The party argues that this approach smooths a cliff edge in the system, whereby employer NI jumps from zero to the full rate when a worker reaches the age of 21. The government has faced mounting pressure to reduce employer NI contributions for younger workers as a means of improving job opportunities. Approximately one million young people across the United Kingdom are currently not in education, employment or training, a figure that underscores the scale of the challenge.

When questioned about why the Conservatives were not proposing NI cuts for all workers, Badenoch emphasised the need for fiscal responsibility. She explained that the party operates under a golden economic rule, requiring savings to be identified before any spending commitments are made. She added that if the country could afford broader cuts, she would implement them, but insisted that credibility must come first.

Badenoch's comments reflect the broader strategic dilemma facing the Conservatives. Privately, senior party figures speak of the importance of reaching a tipping point in public support, where the Conservatives could draw level with Reform UK and then establish a modest lead in the polls. The hope is that this would allow them to argue they are the only realistic challenger to Labour, potentially attracting further support as the election approaches.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andy Burnham dismissed suggestions last month that he might call an early general election, arguing that doing so would plunge the country into a backward-looking process. The next general election must legally be held by August 2029. Farage, for his part, has previously claimed that Reform UK has effectively replaced the existing Conservative Party, a assertion that highlights the intense competition for votes on the right of British politics.

As the Conservative conference draws to a close, Badenoch's twin messages, refusing any accommodation with Reform and offering targeted tax relief for young workers, will be tested against the realities of polling and voter sentiment in the months ahead. Her leadership now hinges on persuading the electorate that the Conservatives have genuinely changed and deserve another chance to govern.