Chancellor Rishi Sunak has shut down any possibility of a deal with Nigel Farage ahead of the upcoming election. Farage, who has refrained from running as a candidate for the Reform party led by Richard Tice, reached out to Sunak for a potential conversation, but was met with rejection.
In the 2019 election, Farage withdrew some Brexit party candidates in key seats, benefitting Boris Johnson and the Conservatives. Despite Sunak’s efforts to appeal to Reform voters with policies like tax cuts for pensioners, he firmly dismissed the idea of collaborating with Farage.
Sunak, during a visit to a military vehicle manufacturer in Honiton, highlighted the stark choice between himself and Keir Starmer as potential prime ministers. Further interactions with staff revealed concerns about national service plans and support for pensioners.
With Reform polling at 12%, attracting former Conservative supporters, their decision on fielding candidates in key seats could impact the election outcome. Meanwhile, Farage, focused on aiding Donald Trump’s US campaign, expressed a desire for reciprocity from the Conservatives for his past support.