Farage tells donors he expects Reform to do election deal with Tories report

"Nigel Farage has told donors he expects a deal or merger between his Reform UK party and the Conservatives before the next general election. Reform donors told the Financial Times that the leader expected his party to join with or make a deal with the Tories. One of those who spoke to the FT said Farage had described such an agreement as inevitable but that it would take some time because he was wary over making a pact between the two. But Farage and the Conservative party denied the claims."

"Sometimes people hear what they want to, Farage told the paper. After next May the Conservatives will no longer be a national party. I would never do a deal with a party that I do not trust. No deals, just a reverse takeover. A Conservative spokesperson said: Under Kemi Badenoch's leadership the Conservatives will not be considering any deals or pacts. Reform want higher welfare spending and to cosy up to [Russian president Vladimir] Putin. Only the Conservatives have the team, the plan and the backbone to deliver."

"Farage has sought to win over voters from the Conservatives, suggesting the party can no longer be trusted after 14 years in power. Former Conservatives have defected to Reform, with former minister Jonathan Gullis among the most recent to have joined the party, following Danny Kruger, Nadine Dorries, Jake Berry and Maria Caulfield. Badenoch has dismissed claims that the Tories could do a deal with Reform, saying earlier this year: I am the custodian of an institution that has existed for nigh on 200 years I can't just treat it like it's a toy and have pacts and mergers."

Nigel Farage expects a deal or merger between Reform UK and the Conservative Party before the next general election. He believes such an agreement is inevitable but warned it would take time because he is wary of forming a pact. Both Farage and the Conservatives publicly denied that a deal is imminent. Farage said he would never do a deal with a party he does not trust and described the plan as a reverse takeover. Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch say they will not consider deals or pacts and emphasize their donor support. Several former Conservatives have defected to Reform.

Read at www.theguardian.com