UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Reform UK leader Nigel Farage denied Financial Times claims that he intended to form an election alliance with the Tories, calling the reports false.
As reported by The Telegraph, Nigel Farage dismissed claims that he planned to collaborate with the Tories ahead of the next general election.
Mr Farage’s remarks come after Reform donors told the Financial Times that the party leader anticipated a potential deal or alliance with Kemi Badenoch’s party.
According to the Financial Times, one donor said Mr Farage described such a deal as “inevitable” but noted it would take time because of his caution over a pact.
How did Nigel Farage respond to claims of an alliance with the Tories?
Commenting on the reports, Nigel Farage said,
“Sometimes people hear what they want to. After next May, the Conservatives will no longer be a national party I would never do a deal with a party that I don’t trust.”
He added,
“No deals, just a reverse takeover. A deal with them as they are would cost us votes.”
In a subsequent post on X, the Reform leader called the Financial Times story “false.”
He posted,
A false story in the FT tonight claims Reform would do a deal with the Tories.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) December 2, 2025
After 14 years of dishonesty & lies they should never be forgiven. The idea I’d work with them is ludicrous.
They betrayed my trust in 2019 & we will ensure they cease to be a national party in May.
“A false story in the FT tonight claims Reform would do a deal with the Tories. After 14 years of dishonesty & lies they should never be forgiven. The idea I’d work with them is ludicrous. They betrayed my trust in 2019 & we will ensure they cease to be a national party in May.”
How did opposition parties respond to Nigel Farage-Tories alliance claims?
A Conservative spokesman 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 Putin. Only the Conservatives have the team, the plan and the backbone to deliver.”
A Labour party spokesperson stated,
“Nigel Farage isn’t even hiding it any more – he’s happy for failed Tories to prop up his party, whether they choose to join Reform or not. The Conservatives broke public services and hammered family finances. They and Reform would inflict Tory austerity on Britain all over again, meaning savage cuts to local schools and hospitals.”
They added,
“This shady backroom plot will send a shiver down the spine of people up and down the country, and shows you simply can’t trust Nigel Farage. Only Labour is focused on cutting the cost of living for families, reducing NHS waiting lists and bringing down the national debt.”
How has Reform UK gained support from former Tory MPs?
Over the last two years, Reform UK has seen several high-profile defections from the Conservative Party.
Lee Anderson and Danny Kruger, initially elected as Tory MPs, now sit as members of Mr Farage’s Reform UK party.
Earlier this week, an additional 20 former MPs defected to Reform UK, including Jonathan Gullis, Lia Nici, and Chris Green, all ex-Tory MPs who lost their seats last year.
Reform insiders confirmed that the recent Tory defections were not centrally coordinated and that the ex-MPs are unlikely to contest elections under the party banner.
Despite speculation over her leadership tenure, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has united Conservative MPs with repeated strong performances at Prime Minister’s Questions.
She received widespread praise for her cutting critique of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget, which led Mr Farage to publicly challenge the Tories’ economic record.
How did Nigel Farage’s 2019 Brexit decision shape his view of the Tories?
During the 2019 general election, Nigel Farage stood down more than 300 Brexit Party candidates, effectively clearing the path for former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives.
He soon expressed regret for the move, criticizing Mr. Johnson’s record on migration, tax increases, and net zero initiatives.
The Conservatives have aimed to distance themselves from their final years in office under Kemi Badenoch.
Ms Badenoch admitted the party mishandled immigration after the “Boriswave” brought almost one million legal migrants into the UK within a year.
The Tory leader also promised to cut government size, abolish stamp duty, and overturn the UK’s 2050 net zero law signed by former Prime Minister Baroness May.
Which party is projected to win how many seats in the next UK election?
A recent YouGov poll showed that Reform UK is projected to win 311 seats, just 15 short of a majority. It revealed the Labour Party is expected to win 144 seats, losing heavily compared to 2024.
The poll found Conservatives are likely to secure only 45 seats, marking a further decline from their 2024 result.
Another survey indicated a slight decline for Reform, averaging close to 30%, while the Conservative Party under Kemi Badenoch remains around 18%.
