Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, has ruled out forming a coalition with the Reform Party, citing a lack of trust in its leadership and criticizing the party’s ideology. Speaking on the Political Currency podcast, Badenoch described a hung parliament as a likely outcome following the next general election but dismissed calls for an electoral pact with Reform, led by Nigel Farage.

“I’m not trying to unite the right, I’m trying to unite the country,” Badenoch said, emphasizing her refusal to enter into any pre- or post-election agreements with Reform. She characterized negotiations for coalition deals as “stitch-ups” driven by political self-interest rather than public benefit. Badenoch also highlighted the involvement of former Conservative ministers Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman in Reform’s leadership as a key reason why cooperation is a “non-starter.” She accused the two of attempting to undermine the Conservative Party both from within and after defecting.

Badenoch further criticized Reform for what she termed a “woke” approach, explaining that while the term is often associated with the left, she sees Reform as promoting victim and oppressor narratives that divide society. She said Farage’s framing of the establishment as oppressors perpetuates a “victim mentality” focused on power struggles rather than practical solutions. Badenoch rejected the idea of demonizing social groups, contrasting the Conservatives’ stance with Reform’s tactics of setting groups against each other.

Reform sources responded sharply to Badenoch’s comments, dismissing her as “thin-skinned” and calling her the “most unsuccessful Tory leader of the opposition in history.”

In the interview, Badenoch also addressed criticism of her opposition to net zero climate policies. She clarified that her issue is not with environmental protection but with the effectiveness and cost of current plans, which she said are harming businesses and failing to improve the climate. She advocated for increased investment in biodiversity, habitat preservation, and flood defenses as part of a more balanced environmental approach.

When asked about Andy Burnham’s initial actions as prime minister, Badenoch dismissed them as unwise. However, she paid tribute to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, acknowledging the excessive public hostility directed at former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and condemning the arson attack on Johnson’s former family home as “absolutely horrific.”