Former Conservative Prime Minister John Major has warned the Tory party against shifting further to the right in an attempt to appeal to Reform UK voters following their recent election defeat. Major cautioned that chasing after Reform UK voters would be a mistake, emphasizing the need for the Conservative party to maintain its appeal to the center-right.
On the other hand, leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch has taken a different stance, urging the Tories to embrace Reform UK voters as “our people.” In an interview with GB News, Badenoch expressed her belief that many Reform UK supporters were lifelong Tory voters and should not be alienated from the party.
Badenoch highlighted a specific incident where the removal of the whip from Lee Anderson, a Tory MP, created the impression that certain voters were not welcomed within the party. She criticized this decision, stating that it was a mistake that sent the message that the party did not want certain individuals as part of its membership.
While Major and Badenoch shared the view that Nigel Farage should not be allowed to rejoin the Conservative party, they differed in their approach to embracing Reform UK voters. Major emphasized the importance of appealing to the center-right, while Badenoch advocated for including Reform UK supporters within the Conservative party.
In a separate development, Major criticized the Rwanda deportation plan proposed by the previous government, describing it as “un-Conservative, un-British, un-Christian, and unconscionable.” He expressed his strong opposition to the policy, highlighting the need for a more humane approach to immigration and deportation.
Overall, the debate within the Conservative party reflects a broader discussion about the direction the party should take in the aftermath of the election defeat. While some advocate for maintaining a centrist position, others argue for embracing a more right-leaning approach to appeal to a wider range of voters. The outcome of this internal debate will likely shape the future trajectory of the party and its policies.
Subheadings:
1. Major Warns Against Rightward Shift
2. Badenoch Urges Embrace of Reform UK Voters
3. Criticism of Rwanda Deportation Plan