Kemi Badenoch: I'd rather have another election than do a deal with Reform UK, says Badenoch
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Figure caption: Watch: Kemi Badenoch says she wants Reform voters to "come back"
By Richard Wheeler , Political reporter and Chris Mason, Political editor
Published 6 October 2026, 17:00 BST Updated 16 minutes ago
Kemi Badenoch has stated that she would prefer another general election to forming a coalition with Reform UK, should no party secure an overall majority in the next election.
The Conservative Party leader expressed her view on the BBC, stating that Nigel Farage's Reform Party is "neck deep in scandal" and that any deal with them would only bring "one problem after another".
Polling suggests a hung parliament at the next election, with Labour currently projected to be the largest party, followed by Reform UK and the Conservatives. As the Conservative Party conference nears its close in Birmingham, Badenoch has made a pledge to reduce costs for employers hiring individuals aged 21 to 24 by halving national insurance (NI) contributions.
Badenoch aims to revitalise her party, asserting that they are "returning to the authentic Conservative Party" following the release of a comprehensive 100-page document titled The Right Way, outlining the party's principles.
She acknowledged the volatility of politics and expressed confidence in the Conservatives' chances despite current polling indicating only one-in-five voters would support them. "We're in a different political world... we know that we can win," she said, "I'm not saying that we would win."
In response to a scenario where the Conservatives are the largest party and Reform UK holds significant influence in a hung parliament, Badenoch firmly stated: "If you want Conservative, you have to vote Conservative. I have said we'd have another election if there was no overall majority." She further urged Reform voters to "come back" to the Conservatives, referencing the recent scandals within Farage's party and mentioning the arrests of Dan Thomas and Nathan Gill.
Badenoch emphasised her party's agenda: "I want to get this economy growing... stop the boats... bring energy costs down... that's what we're about."