Nigel Farage has denied Reform would do a deal with the Conservatives after Robert Jenrick made “coalition” comments.
The Reform leader told Sky News’ deputy political editor Sam Coates: “We’re not going to a do a deal with a Conservative Party that gave us record tax levels since the war, mass migration, I could go on – a list as long as your arm.”
In a leaked recording obtained by Sam Coates earlier this week, Mr Jenrick, who came second in the Tory leadership vote, told a student event last month he is “determined” for the fight from the right against Labour “to be united”.
“One way or another, I’m determined to do that and to bring this coalition together and make sure we unite as a nation as well,” he said.
Mr Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, has since denied any suggestion this means he is advocating a Tory-Reform UK pact.
But speaking on Thursday, Mr Farage was clear that would not be happening anyway.
“It’s not happening, our voters came to us from the Conservatives because they felt so betrayed by the Conservatives,” he said.
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“Why would we [join forces], given what we’re building here, why would we want to ally to a Conservative Party we don’t agree with and, frankly, we see as a failing brand.”
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Mr Farage added that if Mr Jenrick does agree with what Reform stands for “maybe he’s in the wrong party”.
He said Reform would welcome him “if we thought he was genuine”.
However, he added: “This is Robert generic, this is Robert the remainer, this is Robert the ‘I don’t stand particularly for anything at all’ who suddenly seems to be on this Damascene conversion
“So I’m not sure whether he really means it.”
The Reform leader said his party’s priority was “to win the next election” and the idea Reform and Conservative supporters will agree on the same things “isn’t going to happen”.
“Most of our members think the Tory party failed despicably in the last government – and I agree with them,” he said.
