Reform branded 'too nasty for nasty' Tories after Kemi Badenoch dismisses coalition plot

Reform branded 'too nasty for nasty' Tories after Kemi Badenoch dismisses coalition plot Labour critics mocked the prospect of a right-wing coalition between Reform and the Tories, saying Nigel Farage's party are even 'too nasty for the nasty party' Reform UK has been branded "too nasty for the nasty party" after bungling Kemi Badenoch dismissed a coalition with Nigel Farage's embattled party. The Tory leader on Tuesday claimed she would rather fight two general elections in quick succession as she desperately attempted to pour cold water on the idea of her party helping Reform into No10. Critics mocked the prospect of a right-wing coalition, saying both the Tories and Reform would offer a "reckless right-wing government" whether they joined forces or not. At the Conservative annual conference in Birmingham, Mrs Badenoch batted away questions about her party's grim electoral prospects, insisting Tory members felt “happy because we know who we are”. But splits in the party have emerged. Former Tory Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg told conference-goers they would be “bonkers” not to support a Tory-Reform coalition, while some Tory members also said the two right-wing outfits should consider uniting. Tory members in the conference corridors are whispering about whether Andy Burnham could call an early general election and whether it'd be a disaster for their party. Conservative chair Kevin Hollinrake admitted his party are “not where we need to be right now”, telling a fringe event that he would ideally prefer the next general election to come “some way down the track”. Mrs Badenoch told Sky News: "If there's an election now, there'd be a hung parliament. But actually the thing about an election is that people get to see what is really out there. What is the offer... We are the only credible alternative to Labour. No one else is." She added: "Let me be clear and answer your question. If there is a hung parliament, then we can have another election. We had this in 1974. It's not about, do a deal with Reform or don't be in government. In 1974, there were two elections. I believe that the public will see who is serious and who is not." Asked if her party’s cheery mood meant it was collectively in denial, Mrs Badenoch added to the BBC: “We are feeling chipper because we are going back to first principles.” Mrs Badenoch acknowledged the party was “not out of the woods yet” after its crippling 2024 general election defeat, with polling showing its popularity is lower than then. Labour MP Mike Tapp said: "There’s lots of talk of a general election but to my knowledge the government has a massive majority. It would be bonkers to throw that away for some sort of chaotic coalition. "We now have a crazy left and a nasty right. It seems Reform are too nasty for the nasty party." TUC chief Paul Nowak told the Mirror: "After their crushing defeat in 2024, the Tories thought they could win back votes by copying Farage's homework, echoing his poisonous rhetoric, and even handing him some of their MPs. "Whether it's the Tories or Reform, it's the same offer. A reckless right-wing government, ripping up workers' rights, and siding with vested interests and the super-rich. Working people deserve better than that." On the prospect of a Reform-Tory coalition, another Labour MP, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “Over half of Reform’s MPs are just recycled Tories. Calling them bedfellows is overly generous. They’re sharing the exact same duvet.” They added that the Tories were showing "plenty of swagger" at their conference in Birmingham, adding: "Shame the polls didn't get the memo.” Mrs Badenoch's comments come as she prepares to deliver a major speech to the Tory conference on Wednesday. The Conservative leader, who has previously flirted with the idea of cutting inheritance tax, is widely tipped to announce a plan to slash the levy, which is largely paid by the wealthiest families. The tax brought in over £7billion to the Treasury in the 2023-24 financial year. But it was only paid on a tiny proportion - 4.7% - of all estates in the same year due to rules allowing married couples to combine their tax-free allowances of £325,000. They can also increase their allowance to £500,000 each by leaving property to their children and grandchildren. It means only estates married couples pass down worth more than £1m usually end up paying the 40% levy. Mrs Badenoch - whose party is struggling to gain momentum in the national polls - has refused to be drawn on speculation she could use Wednesday's speech to promise to cut the levy. Asked about the tax cut for "super wealthy", the Tory chief on Tuesday told Sky News: "You're debating a policy I haven't even announced yet, we're debating a policy I haven't even announced yet. Why don't you wait and hear what it is I want you to announce?" On the penultimate day of the party's conference, the Tories also pledged on Tuesday to halve employers' national insurance on jobs worked by young people if they win power. The Conservatives said the flat rate for firms would be slashed from 15% to 7.5% for workers aged 21 to 24 at an estimated cost of £2.3billion. Mrs Badenoch said she would set out how to fund the plan on Wednesday. But a Labour spokesman hit back, saying: "This is yet more fantasy economics from the Tories. Kemi Badenoch pretends to be on the side of young people but her party allowed nearly one million of the next generation to be locked out of work or training. "It's no surprise her Shadow Chancellor wants another unfunded tax cut given he co-wrote Liz Truss' mini-Budget that crashed the economy. The Tories can never be trusted with Britain's public finances or the life chances of young people again." Elsewhere during the conference, the party has come under fire for harking back to the Tory nasty party-era amid their recent proposals to axe benefits for some under-25s and introduce pre-loaded cards for claimants to ban them from spending financial support on alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling. According to the latest YouGov polling published on Tuesday, Labour is now five percentage points ahead, on 27%, while Reform UK is on 22% and the Tories are third on 20%. The Lib Dems and Greens are both on 11%. In a blow to Mrs Badenoch, the polling also showed the vast majority of people don't think the Tories have changed much since she became leader almost two years ago. Asked if the Tories had changed under her watch, almost half (46%) of voters said either 'not very much' or 'not at all' while just 7% said a 'great deal' and a further 23% said 'not at all'. Conservative former minister Sir Jacob suggested the Tories and Reform UK should form a coalition after the next election if it prevents a left-wing government. At a fringe event at party conference, the audience was asked to raise their hand if they were a Tory member who would support a post-election coalition between the two parties if it meant “stopping a left-wing government”. Sir Jacob, who was speaking in conversation at the event, said: “If anyone didn’t put their hand up, you’re bonkers.”