The Conservative Party could be heading for a political shake-up, with one of its most senior MPs suggesting there’s a 70% chance of a merger with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK before the next general election.
Sir Edward Leigh, an MP since 1983 and the longest-serving member of Parliament (also known as the Father of the House), made the bold claim while speaking to GB News. And if that wasn’t enough political drama, he also admitted he has “no idea” whether Kemi Badenoch will still be in charge when the time comes.
A desperate bid to keep Labour out?
While Badenoch has firmly ruled out any deal with Reform, others on the right—such as hardliner Robert Jenrick—haven’t shut the door on a potential alliance.
With Reform overtaking the Tories in some polls, the pressure is mounting. According to Sir Edward, at least a third of Tory MPs are now warming up to the idea of striking a deal with Farage to avoid a total electoral wipeout.
Speaking bluntly about the Tories’ dire prospects, he warned they could be “slaughtered” at the local elections in May unless they take drastic action.
“We can’t just stand against each other”
Sir Edward laid out his vision for a potential agreement, suggesting the Tories should stand down in 100 seats where Reform has a stronger position.
“We can’t just stand against each other in a first-past-the-post system,” he explained. “At the very least, we need an electoral alliance where we step aside and let Reform take on Labour. Or we could go all in with a full-scale merger. And why not?”
He also suggested that MPs backing Jenrick’s leadership campaign would likely support a deal with Farage, claiming:
“At a bare minimum, there would be 44 MPs in favour. But if things stay this bad for the Tories, that number could grow to half the party.”
Jenrick plays coy, Labour cries ‘dodgy deal’
When pressed on whether a Tory-Reform pact could happen, Robert Jenrick didn’t deny the possibility.
“Reform themselves are saying they don’t want to,” he told The Sun. “Kemi has said she has no intention.”
But crucially, he didn’t rule it out, leaving the door slightly ajar for future negotiations.
Labour, meanwhile, wasted no time in slamming the idea of a “dodgy backroom deal” between the two right-wing parties.
“The Tories wrecked public services, and Nigel Farage wants to charge NHS patients thousands for routine treatments. Just imagine what they’d do together,” a Labour spokesperson said.
So, will we see a full-blown merger, a tactical alliance, or just a lot of political posturing? Watch this space.
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