Suella Braverman recently made it clear that she will not defect to Reform UK unless she is forced out of the Conservative Party. During her interview with GB News, the former home secretary expressed her concerns about the Tories’ chances in the next general election as long as Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, remains a viable alternative.
Braverman emphasized the importance of not alienating Conservatives who are right-wing, Eurosceptic, and patriotic. She pointed out that young people are increasingly voting for Reform UK instead of the Conservatives, which should be a cause for alarm among Tory leaders and MPs. The MP for Fareham and Waterlooville also highlighted the need for the party to address the threat posed by Reform UK and avoid complacency.
While Braverman did not suggest a merger between the two parties, she stressed that Reform and the Conservatives cannot coexist in their current forms if the Conservatives want to have a chance at winning the next general election. Despite previously hinting at welcoming Nigel Farage into the Conservative Party, Braverman now believes that the two parties need to address their differences to move forward.
After withdrawing from the Tory leadership race, Braverman expressed her disappointment at the lack of consensus within the party regarding its general election defeat. She also mentioned feeling vilified by her colleagues for expressing her views. As she has abandoned her ambition to lead the party, Braverman is now focused on supporting the six candidates vying to replace Rishi Sunak as party leader.
The Conservative Party is facing multiple challenges, including the need to win back support in southern England from the Liberal Democrats and respond to the growing popularity of Reform UK among young voters. The outcome of the leadership race on November 2 will be crucial in determining the party’s future direction and its ability to compete in the next general election.
