Badenoch Tells Tory Conference Reform Figures Are 'Measuring up the Curtains for Their Prison Cells'

Kemi Badenoch has ruled out any post-election deal with Reform UK, declaring that some of its politicians are now 'measuring up the curtains for their prison cells' as the party targets her marginal seat and steps up its national challenge to the Conservatives.

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham on Wednesday, 7 October, Badenoch contrasted Reform's ambition to enter government with the controversies surrounding some of its figures.

'A year ago, those politicians were measuring up the curtains for No 10. Now, some of them are measuring up the curtains for their prison cells,' she told the conference. Badenoch then cited several controversies involving Reform figures as she rejected calls for the Conservatives and Reform to 'unite the right'.

Among the issues Badenoch highlighted was the imprisonment of former Reform UK Wales leader Nathan Gill for bribery offences.

She also referred to the arrest of his successor, Dan Thomas, who has not been convicted, and to police investigations involving donations and a company controlled by Reform deputy leader Richard Tice. She also criticised Farage over a £5 million personal gift and referred to convicted fraudster George Cottrell, known as 'Posh George'.

Badenoch Rules Out Reform Deal

Badenoch said she would rather face another general election than form an agreement with Reform if no party won an overall majority.

She had already told the BBC that Reform was 'neck deep in scandal' and that working with the party would mean 'one problem after another'.

'If you want Conservative, you have to vote Conservative,' Badenoch told the conference. 'I have said we'd have another election if there was no overall majority.'

The Conservative leader also appealed directly to Reform voters, describing them as 'our people', while drawing a distinction between those voters and Reform politicians. Her remarks came as Reform stepped up its challenge to her own seat in North West Essex.

Reform Targets Badenoch's Seat

Reform UK is planning a US-style open primary to choose its candidate to contest Badenoch's constituency at the next general election. Every resident in North West Essex will be able to take part, even if they are not Reform members. The final selection is due to take place at a public event hosted by Farage.

Badenoch retained the seat at the 2024 general election with a majority of 2,610 votes, leaving her with a relatively narrow margin as Reform seeks to make the constituency a target.

Tories Push Tax-Cut Agenda

The Reform attack came as Badenoch used her keynote speech to present the Conservatives as a low-tax alternative to Labour.

She pledged that a future Conservative government would abolish inheritance tax on family homes and allow couples to pass on an additional £1 million tax-free. She also said her longer-term ambition was to abolish inheritance tax altogether when the country could afford it.

Inheritance tax is currently charged at 40% above £325,000, or above £500,000 where a qualifying home is passed to a direct descendant. About 5% of estates currently pay the tax.

The Conservatives have also proposed halving employer National Insurance contributions for workers aged 21 to 24, reducing the rate from 15% to 7.5%. The party estimates the measure would cost about £2.3 billion.

Badenoch presented the policies as part of a wider attempt to rebuild Conservative support ahead of the next general election, arguing that voters should return to the party rather than switch to Reform.

Her conference speech therefore carried two distinct messages: Reform voters remain an audience the Conservatives want to win back, but Badenoch is refusing to bring Reform politicians into government.

The approach comes as Reform continues to pressure the Conservatives electorally while Badenoch seeks to rebuild her party around lower taxes, economic growth and a more traditional Conservative pitch.