Key facts
- Kemi Badenoch said she would prefer another general election to a deal with Reform UK.
Kemi Badenoch stated she would prefer another general election over forming a coalition with Reform UK if no single party wins a majority in the next election. The Conservative Party leader cited Reform UK's alleged scandals as a reason for avoiding a deal. Badenoch also announced a proposal to halve employer National Insurance contributions for 21- to 24-year-olds to stimulate youth employment.
The comments signal the Conservative Party's strategy to distance itself from Reform UK, potentially aiming to consolidate its voter base and present a clear alternative to Labour, while also attempting to address youth unemployment with targeted economic incentives.
Kemi Badenoch, a leader within the Conservative Party, has stated that she would prefer to face another general election rather than form a coalition with Reform UK if no single party secures an overall majority in the upcoming election. Badenoch described Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, as being "neck deep in scandal" and suggested that any alliance would lead to continuous problems.
Her comments come as the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham concludes. Current polling indicates a potential hung parliament, with the Labour Party expected to be the largest party, followed by Reform UK and then the Conservatives. Badenoch expressed that if the Conservatives were the largest party in a hung parliament, her stance would be to call for another election rather than engage in a deal with Reform UK.
Badenoch also announced a new policy proposal aimed at boosting youth employment. She pledged to halve the rate of employer National Insurance (NI) contributions for individuals aged 21 to 24. This policy is intended to address the rise in youth unemployment and encourage businesses to hire younger workers, adapting a previous "First Job Bonus" policy that was criticized for not being effective when young people struggle to find initial employment. The proposed cut would apply to earnings above £50,270, smoothing a perceived "cliff edge" in NI contributions as workers turn 21.
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