Senior Conservative minister Kemi Badenoch has launched a scathing attack on Nigel Farage's Reform UK, labelling the party as "damaging" to Conservative election prospects and accusing them of potentially handing power to Labour.
The Business Secretary issued her stark warning during a campaign visit to Manchester, where she claimed Reform was deliberately trying to "destroy" the Conservative Party rather than present a credible alternative to voters.
Conservatives Under Threat
Mrs Badenoch didn't hold back in her assessment of the threat posed by Mr Farage's party, stating bluntly: "They know they're not going to win the election." She argued that Reform's true objective was to weaken the Conservatives to such an extent that they couldn't recover for future elections.
The intervention comes as polling suggests Reform UK could siphon off significant numbers of traditionally Conservative voters, particularly in key marginal seats where even small swings could determine the outcome.
Manchester Campaign Intensity
During her Manchester visit, Mrs Badenoch emphasised the importance of Conservative unity in the face of what she described as a coordinated effort to split the right-wing vote. "They're not actually a political party in the sense of wanting to form a government," she asserted, questioning Reform's commitment to genuine political change.
The Business Secretary's comments represent some of the strongest criticism yet from a senior Conservative figure directed at Reform UK, highlighting growing concern within Tory ranks about the party's impact on their electoral chances.
Electoral Consequences
Political analysts suggest Mrs Badenoch's intervention reflects genuine anxiety within Conservative headquarters about Reform's ability to attract disillusioned Tory voters. With the general election campaign intensifying, every lost vote to Reform could prove crucial in closely contested constituencies.
As the debate over tactical voting intensifies, Mrs Badenoch's message appears clear: a vote for Reform is effectively a vote for Labour, regardless of voters' intentions.
