Overview

• Kemi Badenoch repeatedly refused to say whether she admires Nigel Farage in a Sky News interview, insisting she is focused on the Conservative Party.
• She ruled out any electoral pact with Reform UK, saying she was not elected to make deals and is intent on defining Conservative positions.
• Pressed on her future, Badenoch declined to say whether she would resign if the Conservatives perform badly in May’s elections, calling the question neither here nor there.
• The conference agenda included pledges to leave the European Convention on Human Rights and to pursue ICE‑style deportations, while Badenoch argued Reform backs policies such as nationalisation that Conservatives oppose.
• Pressure from Reform intensified with 20 Tory councillors announcing defections during the conference, a YouGov survey showing most Tory members favor cooperation or even a merger, and Badenoch acknowledging weak polling while dismissing defectors as lacking the mettle for tough times.