Kemi Badenoch Cautions Tory Councillors Against Striking Deals with Reform to Block Labour

KEMI Badenoch has told Tory councillors not to do deals with Reform UK — even to help keep Labour out.

She used an eve-of-elections interview to shut down the prospect of any local pacts with politicians.

Kemi Badenoch has told Tory councillors not to do deals with Reform UK The Tory leader has shut down the prospect of any local pacts with Nigel Farage’s politicians Credit: Alamy

Today’s nationwide polls could produce results in some authorities where no party has a majority to take overall control.

leader had suggested her councillors could work with like-minded colleagues at a local level.

But yesterday she told The Sun: “We’re not doing deals with Reform.

“I don’t want to see us helping .

“A lot of people in Reform are people we kicked out.

“Conservative councillors don’t want to work with Reform because they’re not serious.”

Reform is projected to win the most seats today, with some forecasts putting it on course to gain 1,500.

Meanwhile, polls suggest the

Asked why the Conservatives were not performing better, Ms Badenoch said: “We’ve got to fight for every single vote.

“This is an era of multi-party politics.

“People like Nigel Farage are taking voters for granted.

“He’s already declared victory in councils like Havering.

“We are not arrogant like that.

“If you get bad leaders, people’s lives are ruined.”

Mr Farage has said a vote for Reform will help oust PM Starmer Credit: AFP Zack Polanksi’s Green Party are expected to make major gains Credit: Getty

Mr Farage has said a vote for Reform will help oust PM saying last night: “Only a crushing defeat by Reform in Labour’s heartlands will do the job.”

But Sir Keir said: “In tough times, you need politicians who will always stand up for you and your family.

“Time and again Nigel Farage and () have shown they are not fit to meet this moment.”