Reform leader Nigel Farage has denied that he would form an electoral pact with the Conservatives, after reports he told donors he thinks an agreement between them is inevitable.
In an attempt to shut down speculation, Mr Farage declared “the Conservatives will no longer be a national party” after the May 2026 local elections.
He said: âSometimes people hear what they want to. After next May the Conservatives will no longer be a national party.
âI would never do a deal with a party that I do not trust. No deals, just a reverse takeover.â
Mr Farageâs denial comes after the Financial Times reported that Mr Farage had told donors he believes there will be an agreement between the two parties, quoting unnamed sources.
One donor who spoke to the FT said Mr Farage had described such an agreement as âinevitableâ but that it would take some time because he was wary over making a pact between the two.
The Tories also ruled out such a deal, with a spokesperson saying: âUnder Kemi Badenochâs leadership the Conservatives will not be considering any deals or pacts.
âReform want higher welfare spending and to cosy up to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.
âOnly the Conservatives have the team, the plan and the backbone to deliver.â
There has been growing speculation over a Reform-Conservative pact after Mr Farageâs party received the third highest number of votes of any party at last yearâs general election, but won just five seats.
The Reform leader has sought to win over voters from the Conservatives, suggesting the party can no longer be trusted after 14 years in power.
Prominent ex-Tory figures have flocked to Reform, with former minister Jonathan Gullis among the most recent reported to have defected.
But Reform sources told The Telegraph this week that former Conservative MPs who defect to the party are unlikely to be candidates at the next election because of their track record in government.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: âNigel Farage isnât even hiding it any more â heâs happy for failed Tories to prop up his party, whether they choose to join Reform or not.
âThe 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.
âThis shady backroom plot will send a shiver down the spine of people up and down the country, and shows you simply canât 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.â
