In a stark warning to fellow conservatives, former MP Brendan Clarke-Smith has declared that the outcome of the next General Election must be a clear majority for Kemi Badenoch and the Conservative Party. He argues that after five years of what he describes as a disastrous Labour administration, the country desperately needs a return to Conservative governance.
The Case for Conservative Restoration
Clarke-Smith asserts that since taking leadership following the party's crushing defeat in 2024, Kemi Badenoch has successfully restored stability and credibility to the Tory ranks. He emphasises that while regaining public trust remains a significant challenge, a Conservative victory is essential for the nation's future direction.
"My message to each and every voter ahead of the next election would be 'vote Conservative!'" he writes, positioning this as the optimal outcome for right-of-centre supporters.
The Nightmare Scenario
However, Clarke-Smith outlines what he considers the worst-case scenario: waking up after polling day to discover that electoral quirks have delivered another Labour prime minister. He paints a particularly grim picture of a "coalition of chaos" involving Labour, Sir Ed Davey's Liberal Democrats, and what he terms "mad Greens" led by Zack Polanski.
He warns that this outcome is more than a theoretical possibility, citing Mail on Sunday research suggesting it could materialise if the centre-right vote becomes fragmented at the ballot box.
Lessons from Personal Experience
The former MP draws directly from his own political history to illustrate the dangers of vote-splitting. He notes that his former Bassetlaw constituency now has a Labour MP largely because Reform UK candidates drew sufficient votes away from the Conservative candidate.
"That is a real danger if the Conservatives and Reform both field candidates in certain seats," he cautions, suggesting this could allow Labour, Liberal Democrat, or Green candidates to sneak through and claim victory.
A Pragmatic Proposal for Unity
To prevent this outcome, Clarke-Smith proposes a targeted, pragmatic approach. He suggests that in specific constituencies where the numbers indicate a risk, Conservative candidates should potentially stand aside in favour of Reform UK contenders. Conversely, where circumstances warrant, Reform candidates should step aside for Conservative hopefuls.
He stresses this should be a "piecemeal, pragmatic basis" arrangement rather than any formal pact or alliance. Echoing Kemi Badenoch's position, he states there should be no formal merger or grand contract exchange between Badenoch and Nigel Farage.
Instead, he frames this as an emergency response to save the country from what he views as a potentially dreadful political scenario.
Looking Toward the Future
Clarke-Smith expresses his fervent hope that by the time of the next General Election, such tactical arrangements will prove unnecessary. He aspires to see Conservatives under Badenoch's leadership well on course for an outright victory with a sizeable Commons majority.
He hopes that within two or three years, right-of-centre voters will have rallied back around the Conservative Party. However, he maintains that it would be irresponsible not to plan for alternative, less favourable outcomes.
"My message applies as much to Nigel as it does to Kemi," he states, addressing both Reform UK's Nigel Farage and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. "Let's not sleepwalk into a nightmare of letting the Left in once again. The country will never forgive us."
Brendan Clarke-Smith served as MP for Bassetlaw from 2010 to 2014, giving him direct experience of the electoral dynamics he describes.
