Kemi Badenoch Rules Out Coalition With Reform UK

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch ruled out any election deals or coalitions with Nigel Farage's Reform UK party during an appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on August 22, 2026. She stated she would prefer a fresh general election in the event of a hung parliament rather than forming a "monstrous Reform-Conservative hybrid" government.

Badenoch targeted former party members who defected to Reform UK, including Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman, describing them as "some of the most dishonest people" she has ever met. She explicitly refused to allow these "drama queens" to return to the Conservative Party, emphasizing a desire for members who are serious about delivering for the country.

These remarks come as polling indicates Reform UK has reached 25% support, surpassing the Conservatives, who currently sit at 18%. During the same event, Badenoch criticized the Scottish National Party's relationship with Scotland as "very dysfunctional" and expressed her support for Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay.