Farage Denies Reform Wants Tory Pact. Social Media Disagrees

Nigel Farage has rejected reports claiming he wants to do an electoral pact with the Tories – but social media thinks there’s plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise.

According to The Financial Times, the Reform UK leader has told party donors he expects a deal or a merger with the Tories before the next general election – although most likely on Reform’s terms, as they are leading in the polls.

However, Farage quickly insisted that he would not be cosying up with the Tories after they “betrayed” his Brexit Party at the 2019 general election.

Writing on X, he said: “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.”

Conservative frontbencher Robert Jenrick also rejected the prospect of working together, telling Times Radio: “I can’t speculate on what Nigel might have said at a boozy lunch in the City to his mates.

“All I can say is that my leader Kemi Badenoch said there won’t be a deal. Nigel Farage has said there won’t be a deal so there won’t be a deal.”

He added: “There won’t be a deal. These are two distinct political parties and their respective leaders have said no deal. So it’s as simple as that.”

But opponents of the two right-wing parties could not help but point out one rather obvious fact: almost two dozen former Tory MPs have defected to Reform recently, including individuals who were rather senior in the party.

Conservative frontbencher Danny Kruger crossed the floor to join Farage earlier this year, while the ex-Tory deputy chair Jonathan Gullis defected to Reform only this week.

Nadine Dorries served as the Tory culture secretary under Boris Johnson but has since joined Reform, while Andrea Jenkyns – briefly the skills minister under Johnson and Liz Truss – was elected as Reform’s first mayor in May.

Naturally, social media was quick to remind Farage of this fact…

A Labour Party spokesperson also capitalised on the remark, saying: “Nigel Farage isn’t even hiding it anymore – 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.

“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.”