Becky Morton, a political reporter, sheds light on the Conservative Party’s potential coalition with Reform UK in the upcoming general election to prevent Labour from taking over the government. Lord Houchen, the Tees Valley mayor, emphasized the importance of discussions between Tory and Reform MPs to create a significant majority, leading to a possible coalition or pact. However, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed the idea of a national coalition, citing Reform’s intentions to undermine the Conservative Party. A spokesperson from Reform UK reiterated their stance against forming coalitions or pacts, attributing the party to have “broken Britain.”
Lord Houchen highlighted the need to keep Labour out of government, suggesting practical measures to achieve this goal, while acknowledging the three-year period before the next general election for the Tories to address concerns and compete with Reform. Badenoch’s reluctance to enter into a national coalition with Reform was clear, emphasizing the differences in approaches at the local level, especially with regards to local elections next week in England. Despite Farage’s mention of potential informal collaborations at local levels, the Labour Party and the Lib Dems expressed concerns about potential partnerships with Reform.
As the elections draw closer, Lord Houchen warned the Tories of a challenging path amid competition from Reform UK and the rising support for the latter. With Labour also facing difficulties in the local elections, Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden stated the party’s commitment to working diligently for every vote. Meanwhile, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer expressed confidence in the party’s success, highlighting the increasing disillusionment with mainstream parties and the desire for effective local governance. Moreover, as elections for various councils and mayors approach, including by-elections in specific constituencies, the political landscape seems set for a significant shift
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