6th October, 2026 | News

Badenoch Says Tories Would Rather Hold Another Election Than Deal With Reform

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has said she would prefer another general election to forming a government through a deal with Reform UK if an election resulted in a hung parliament.

Speaking to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham on Tuesday, Badenoch acknowledged that the Conservatives would not win an outright majority if a general election were held immediately.

Badenoch said an election held now would likely result in a hung parliament, but argued that voters would have the opportunity to assess the competing parties and their policies.

“We are the only credible alternative to Labour. No one else is,” she said.

Badenoch Prefers Second Election Over Reform Deal

Asked what she would do if no party could form a government after an election, Badenoch said she would rather return to the electorate than enter into an agreement with Reform UK to put her into Downing Street.

“If there is a hung parliament, then we can have another election,” she said.

Pressed repeatedly on whether she would choose another election, Badenoch responded: “I would rather have another election, yes.”

She pointed to the events of 1974, when Britain held two general elections in the same year, as an example of how a hung parliament could be followed by another vote.

Badenoch said her objective was to persuade voters who had moved to Reform UK to return to the Conservatives.

Badenoch Calls for Election Over Defence Funding

The Conservative leader also said the country should have another election if Prime Minister Andy Burnham failed to fund defence adequately.

Her comments come as the Conservatives prepare for Badenoch’s keynote conference speech on Wednesday, where the party is expected to outline further policy proposals.

Conservatives Hint at Further Welfare Cuts

The party’s shadow work and pensions secretary, Helen Whately, also indicated that Badenoch could announce additional welfare savings in her keynote speech.

Whately said the Conservatives had identified “many billions” in additional savings from welfare spending.

She said the savings could help finance increased defence spending and tax cuts, including the party’s previously announced proposal to halve employer National Insurance contributions for workers aged 21 to 24.

The Conservatives had previously announced plans for £23 billion in welfare savings at last year’s party conference.

Tory Figures Discuss Potential Reform Coalition

Former Conservative cabinet ministers Jacob Rees-Mogg and Michael Gove also discussed the prospect of a future agreement between the Conservatives and Reform UK.

Both argued that it would be difficult for political parties to determine coalition arrangements before an election because the eventual composition of Parliament would not be known.

Gove said political leaders would be unlikely to announce plans for a coalition before voters had made their choice.

Badenoch’s comments nevertheless make clear that, if faced with a hung parliament, her stated preference would be to seek another election rather than enter a deal with Reform UK.

News Source : Sky News