Reform UK surges ahead of the Tories, sparking calls for a pact—but divisions threaten the party’s future

The Conservative Party is teetering on the brink of electoral disaster as Reform UK overtakes them in a YouGov poll, securing 24% support to the Tories’ 21%. This political earthquake has reignited fierce debate over whether the Conservatives should strike a deal with Nigel Farage’s insurgent party to avoid annihilation at the next general election.

Alex Burghart, a Conservative MP, openly acknowledged the threat, admitting that Reform “wants to destroy” the Tory Party. However, he stopped short of ruling out a pact, hinting at the growing desperation within Tory ranks as their poll numbers continue to crumble.

Calls for an alliance are growing louder from the right flank of the party. Lord Craig Mackinlay and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg have urged the leadership to consider a pact, arguing that a divided right only strengthens Labour’s hold on power. They believe that uniting with Reform UK is the only way to prevent a catastrophic wipeout at the ballot box.

Reform UK’s rise has shattered Westminster’s expectations. Once dismissed as a protest movement, the party has now positioned itself as a serious electoral force. Its populist, anti-establishment message is pulling disillusioned Tory voters away in droves, particularly on issues such as immigration, economic policy, and the cost of living crisis.

For Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the situation presents a nightmare scenario. On one hand, embracing Reform UK could alienate moderate and centrist voters, pushing them further towards Labour and the Liberal Democrats. On the other, rejecting an alliance risks splitting the right-wing vote entirely, paving the way for a Labour landslide.

Despite the mounting pressure, Sunak has remained silent on the matter. But with Reform UK’s numbers climbing and high-profile Conservatives advocating for a deal, his hand may soon be forced. The choice is stark—does the Tory Party fight alone and risk obliteration, or does it make a Faustian bargain with Reform UK in a desperate bid to cling to power?

BBC

Shadow minister Alex Burghart has dismissed talk of a Conservative-Reform UK electoral pact, insisting, “We’re not going to do a deal with a party that wants to kill us.” His remarks come as Reform UK topped a YouGov poll for the first time, edging ahead of Labour on 24% and the Tories on 21%.

Despite growing pressure from Tory figures like Jacob Rees-Mogg and Esther McVey to explore a pact, Burghart stated there was “not a conversation to be had” while Reform’s goal remained to “destroy the Conservative Party.”

A Reform UK spokesperson rejected any alliance, declaring, “Reform intends to win the next election and repair the damage caused by Johnson, the Tories, and Labour.”

With immigration a key battleground, the Tories announced tougher residency rules, but Burghart denied it was a response to Reform, insisting it was about “holding Labour to account.

DAILY EXPRESS

Senior Conservatives are urging Kemi Badenoch to strike a deal with Nigel Farage to avoid splitting the centre-right vote and prevent another Labour victory. With Reform UK surging to 29% in some polls—four points ahead of Labour and 11 points ahead of the Tories—pressure is mounting for cooperation.

Jacob Rees-Mogg supports local election pacts, while Esther McVey and Peter Bedford suggest a broader agreement to “remove this hard-left socialist government.”

However, Badenoch’s team rejects a formal alliance, insisting the Tories “won’t negotiate with people who want to destroy us.” Farage, who previously stood down Brexit Party candidates in 2019, remains wary of repeating past mistakes.

As Reform’s rise continues, the Tory right is split between those seeking unity and those fearing a total party overhaul