'Read my lips: no pact': Lee Anderson denies plans for Reform-Tory merger

Reform UK has insisted there is no plan to merge with the Conservatives ahead of the next general election.

MP Lee Anderson told ITV News his party is “absolutely not” considering the move, after the Financial Times reported that Nigel Farage told Reform donors he expects a deal to ensure his party sweeps to power.

The Tories have also denied the report, accusing Reform of wanting to “cosy up to Russian President Vladimir Putin”.

A deal would eliminate the rival party on the political right and boost Reform’s chances in the polls, the paper said.

Anderson shot down the reports saying his party has “no need to” merge with the Tories, with YouGov’s latest poll suggesting Reform is leading on 26%.

Besides, Anderson believes there are barely any “proper Conservative” MPs sitting in Parliament, describing some as “totally clueless” and others as “wet Lib Dems”.

“A lot of the problems that we face today are because of 14 years of the Tories being in government, and I was part of that for four-and-a-half years during the last Parliament,” the Ashfield MP told ITV News.

Lee Anderson says Reform are ‘110% not’ briefing party donors that a Tory merger is on the cards

“So, no, we’ve no need to. We’re leading the polls. The Tories know that – they’re panicking. And actually when I look at some of the Tory MPs… there’s not actually many of them that I’d really want…

“A third of them are wet Lib Dems – really they need to go to the Greens or the Lib Dem Party or the Labour Party. There’s another third who are totally clueless – haven’t got a clue what they are.

“Probably a third are true Conservatives but we recruit people on merit, on their principles and on their beliefs. If they align with ours, then they’re welcome to come and have a conversation with us.

“But there’s no pact at all with the Conservative Party.”

One of those who spoke to the Financial Times said Farage had described such an agreement with the Tories as “inevitable” but that it would take some time because he was wary of making a pact between the two.

But any deal would be made on Reform’s terms because the party holds more power, Farage reportedly told the FT’s source.

When asked if Reform is briefing the pact idea to donors, Anderson said: “110% we’re not. This is nonsense being peddled by the mainstream media again, getting the wrong end of the stick.”

Pressed on whether he could rule it out ahead of the next election, he replied: “Read my lips: no pact.”

Farage has sought to win over voters from the Conservatives, suggesting the party can no longer be trusted after 14 years in power.

Prominent ex-Tory figures have flocked to Reform, with former minister Jonathan Gullis among the latest three reported to have defected.

The latest YouGov poll on voting intentions puts Reform in the lead at 26%, Tories 19%, Labour 19%, Green Party 16%, Liberal Democrats 14%, Scottish National Party 3% and Plaid Cymru 1%.

A Conservative spokesman said: “Under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership the Conservatives will not be considering any deals or pacts. Reform want higher welfare spending and to cosy up to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.

“Only the Conservatives have the team, the plan and the backbone to deliver.”

Farage said: “Sometimes people hear what they want to. After next May the Conservatives will no longer be a national party.

“I would never do a deal with a party that I do not trust. No deals, just a reverse takeover.”