The Tory leadership race is ramping up — and so is Kemi Badenoch’s anti-Reform rhetoric. The contender for the top job hasn’t held back on her views of Nigel Farage this week, and the back and forth looks set to continue…

The Reform leader has been rather uncomplimentary about Badenoch of late — tweeting furiously on the eve of the Conservative Party conference:

Kemi Badenoch has spent weeks positioning herself as tough on immigration. But in 2018 she campaigned in parliament to increase legal migration, and was the biggest champion for students bringing in dependents. I don’t believe a word that she says on anything.

Ouch. 

In retaliation, during her leadership interview with GB News’s Christopher Hope on Monday, the wannabe leader blasted Farage’s right-wing rabble — remarking that the party’s leadership are not ‘real conservatives’ or ‘serious people’. Despite Jacob Rees-Mogg cautioning the Tory frontrunner that ‘it’s a mistake to dismiss [Farage]’, Badenoch has now launched a further attack on the Reform MP today.

Taking to Twitter, the Tory leadership hopeful posted a link to a 2022 article written by Farage himself – about the last Conservative leadership contest. In it, the Reform leader writes: 

Of those left in the contest, only Kemi Badenoch has the genuine conviction to talk about legal and illegal immigration, completing Brexit by leaving the ECHR and ending the poison that has been taught to our children in schools. Her manner is refreshing in comparison to what we have become used to in Westminster politics.

How times change…

Badenoch is of course rather keen to remind Farage about his change of heart, posting an acid-tongued dig on Twitter: 

I preferred Nigel’s earlier work. He used to talk about me as the only one with conviction to tackle illegal and legal immigration… but since seeing me as the next Conservative leader and a threat to winning back Reform voters, he’s stopped doing so. Oh well…

Crikey. The gloves are coming off…

Farage Rules Out Deal With 'Untrustworthy' Tories

The Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, has categorically ruled out any possibility of a deal with the incoming Conservative leader, emphasizing his determination to replace the Tories altogether. This bold declaration comes as the four contenders vying to succeed Rishi Sunak gear up to make their pitch to Tory members at the party's conference in Birmingham, following the party's devastating election loss to Labour.

Farage's stance reflects a sentiment that the Conservative brand is irreparably damaged and lacks the potential to win the next election. He asserted, “They all think with a new leader ‘it’ll all be fine, all the voters will come back to us’.” However, he maintains, “And what they don’t understand is the Conservative brand is completely damaged, they have no chance of winning the next election.”

The recent election saw Farage and four other Reform candidates elected to the Commons, while the Tories slumped to 121 MPs, a significant decline in their representation. The election results underscore Farage's view that the Conservative Party has lost its way and is no longer a viable option for voters.

Conservatives Aim to Reassert Their Position

Amidst the growing influence of Reform and the waning support for the Conservatives, the four contenders – Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, and Tom Tugendhat – are battling for the leadership of the Conservative Party. The Reform leader's outspoken criticism of the Conservatives has created a challenge for the contenders, who are striving to restore the party's reputation and appeal to voters.

James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary, is expected to address the challenge posed by Reform directly. In a veiled warning to his rivals, he will emphasize that the Conservative Party, not Reform, delivered Brexit and made strides in reducing immigration. He is set to declare, “We will not win back voters by pretending to be something we’re not. We win back voters by being honest, by being professional, by being Conservative.”

Cleverly, in a bold statement of intent, will assert, “Reform didn’t deliver Brexit, we did. Reform didn’t cut immigration, I did. And mark my words, we will beat Reform by being the best version of ourselves”. This declaration underscores his determination to reclaim the Conservative Party's mantle and distinguish it from the perceived imitation that Reform presents.

A New Conservative Party Emerges

The Tory leadership contenders are presenting their visions for a revitalized Conservative Party, each seeking to resonate with party members and the broader electorate. Robert Jenrick, a contender for the leadership, is calling for a complete overhaul of the Conservative Party, advocating for a 'New Conservative Party' built on the party's core values and traditions.

He is emphasizing key areas of focus, including a rejection of mass migration, a commitment to affordable and reliable energy, public sector reform, and fostering a more united country. Jenrick's vision, while echoing the Conservative ethos, seeks to address the perceived shortcomings of the party and present a fresh perspective.

The contenders are presenting their visions for a revitalized Conservative Party, each seeking to resonate with party members and the broader electorate. Kemi Badenoch, the former Business Secretary, is advocating for a more entrepreneurial and wealth-focused approach, urging the party to champion wealth creation and dismantle the bureaucratic structures she believes have hampered Britain's progress.

The Conservative Party's Future: A Battle for Identity

The Conservative Party finds itself at a crossroads, facing a challenge not only from Labour but also from the rise of Reform. The leadership contest is more than just a power struggle; it is a battle for the very identity of the Conservative Party. The contenders are presenting their visions for the future, seeking to redefine the party's role in British politics and secure its place on the political landscape.

The future of the Conservative Party remains uncertain. The upcoming leadership election and the subsequent general election will be pivotal in shaping the party's trajectory. The contenders are facing a formidable task: to rebuild the party, regain voter confidence, and adapt to a rapidly changing political landscape.

The Tories Fight to Remain Relevant

The Conservative Party's recent electoral performance has been disastrous, and their internal strife has only magnified their vulnerabilities. The party is facing a multitude of challenges, including the erosion of voter trust, the emergence of new political forces like Reform, and the ever-present threat from Labour. The Tory leadership race is a desperate attempt to find a way to regain their footing and become a viable option for voters again.

The Conservatives are trying to adapt to a changing political landscape, and their ability to do so will determine their future. The party is facing an existential crisis, and their success or failure will depend on their ability to find a new direction and reconnect with voters.