Nigel Farage and Conservatives Respond After Being Accused of Trying to Remove Keir Starmer from Downing Street

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and the Conservative Party have both denied claims that they are discussing a possible election deal to remove Sir Keir Starmer from Downing Street. However, reports suggest that top-secret talks between figures in both parties have already taken place.

A Reform UK source dismissed the claims, calling them “fake news,” while a Conservative Party spokesperson strongly denied the idea of an agreement, stating, “Complete and utter nonsense. The Conservative Party will not negotiate with people who want to destroy us.”

Despite the denials, The Spectator magazine, which has close ties to the Conservative Party and is edited by former Tory minister Michael Gove, reported that private, informal discussions have taken place between members of both parties.

According to the magazine’s political editor, Katy Balls, some Tories fear their election chances could worsen as the campaign progresses. They believe that forming an alliance sooner rather than later could be the best way to prevent another Labour victory.

Several options are reportedly being discussed.

One idea is a formal election pact, where Reform UK and the Conservatives agree not to stand candidates against each other. Under this arrangement, Reform could focus on “Red Wall” seats in the North, while the Conservatives would concentrate on their traditional heartlands.

Another possibility is a looser, unofficial agreement, where the two parties do not openly coordinate but also do not compete aggressively in key seats. Labour and the Liberal Democrats were thought to have done something similar in the 2024 election, standing against each other but avoiding strong campaigns in areas where the other had a better chance of winning.

A third and more extreme possibility is a full merger between the two parties, with some Tories already suggesting the name “The Reformed Conservative Party.” However, both Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have publicly ruled out any formal merger.

Despite this, some right-wing figures believe that the split between Conservatives and Reform UK could allow Labour to maintain power.

Former Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg is among those pushing for a pact between the two parties. Speaking to GB News, he warned that Labour could easily win again if the Right remains divided.

He explained that under the UK’s first-past-the-post voting system, right-wing parties must unite or risk losing to Labour. He cautioned that if Conservatives and Reform UK both contest the same seats, they could split the right-wing vote, making it easier for Labour to hold onto its majority.

A YouGov survey shows that 25% of voters would back Reform UK if an election were held tomorrow, while 24% would vote for Labour and 21% for the Conservatives. These numbers suggest that Reform could pose a serious threat to Conservative election hopes.

Rees-Mogg warned that if no deal is reached, both the Tories and Reform could end up with weaker results, which would only benefit Labour. He summed it up by saying, “It’s the one outcome neither the Tories nor Reform want.”

While both parties continue to deny any formal negotiations, the pressure to form an alliance is growing, as many on the right believe that without some form of agreement, Labour could remain in power for years to come.