Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has made it clear his aim is to sideline Nigel Farage and Reform UK, stating he desires to see the party leader “return to retirement.”
Jenrick’s comments follow earlier statements where he emphasized a determination to recapture voters who shifted their support towards Reform. However, he firmly dismissed any possibility of a formal alliance between the Conservative Party and Reform.
“Kemi Badenoch is doing a bloody good job,” Jenrick declared on Good Morning Britain, endorsing the current party leader. He reiterated Badenoch’s stance against any agreement with Reform, adding, “I’ve said time and again that I want to put Reform out of business.”
The Newark MP outlined a strategy focused on regaining disillusioned Conservative voters who supported Reform in the previous general election. “We lost them because we let those people down,” he acknowledged. He expressed understanding for their frustration, noting, “I understand that they feel angry and frustrated with the Conservative party right now.” Jenrick pointed to new leadership under Badenoch as a catalyst for change.
He further stated: “Frankly, I think she’s doing a bloody good job in difficult circumstances. It’s not easy being leader of the opposition when we’ve just lost our worst ever election defeat. Frankly, I think people should give her a break.”
While some, such as Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, have advocated for “some sort of deal” between the Conservatives and Reform to ensure a strong centre-right presence in British politics—suggesting possibilities ranging from a merger to an agreement of trust— Farage remains steadfastly opposed.
- Houchen’s Proposal: “I don’t know whether it’s a merger…[or] a pact of trust and confidence or whatever. But if we want to make sure that there is a sensible centre-right party leading this country, then there is going to have to be a coming together of Reform and the Conservative party in some way.”
Farage has consistently refuted claims of division within the British right wing and has ruled out cooperation with the Conservatives. At the Arc Conference earlier this year, he asserted, “The right is not split in this country. The Conservative Party is not on the right in any measurable way.”
He later criticized the Tories, stating: “The Tories broke Britain nationally for 14 years, and their councils continue to break local communities with the highest taxes ever and worst services.”
