STORY
In a statement made today, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has indicated that local Conservative councillors may consider forming coalitions with Reform UK following the upcoming local elections in England on 1 May. While she has consistently dismissed the possibility of a national alliance with Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, Badenoch acknowledged the pragmatic necessities at the local government level.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Badenoch remarked, “You don’t get to have a rerun of an election at local level, so what I’m telling local leaders across the country is they have to do what is right for the people in their local area.” She emphasised that any such coalitions should adhere to Conservative principles, including “sound money” and limited government intervention.
This development comes as the Conservative Party braces for challenging local elections, with expectations of significant losses in over 20 councils. The previous elections in these areas occurred during a period of heightened support for the Conservatives in 2021, following the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. Given the anticipated shift, many councils are projected to enter a state of no overall control, increasing the likelihood of cross-party coalitions. The Labour Party has criticised the potential for Conservative-Reform alignments, suggesting they could perpetuate political instability. Despite some MPs advocating for a right-wing alliance, both the Conservative Party and Reform UK have publicly rejected the idea at the national level. Notably, over 60 Reform candidates in the upcoming elections are former Conservatives, indicating shifting dynamics within the right-wing political landscape.