A recent column asserts that a united front between the Conservative Party and Reform UK is crucial to oust the current Labour government, warning that without such an alliance, Britain faces further years under Labour leadership. The argument posits that despite policy overlaps on issues such as immigration, defense, and taxation, the two parties' mutual animosity and tendency to contest seats separately are undermining their collective ability to challenge Labour.
The author points to a recent council by-election in Dover, where the combined vote share of right-leaning parties exceeded that of left-leaning parties, yet a Green candidate won due to the vote being split. This scenario, the column suggests, could be replicated in a general election, leading to electoral defeats for both the Conservatives and Reform if they do not cooperate.
Recent political maneuvering and statements, including Kemi Badenoch's characterization of a coalition with Reform as 'monstrous' and Nigel Farage's critical remarks about Conservative MPs, are highlighted as examples of the division. The piece criticizes this approach, suggesting it plays into the hands of Labour and benefits figures like Andy Burnham, who is seen as capitalizing on Reform's recent troubles.
The column also addresses internal issues within Reform UK, referencing a recent incident involving senior aides and a sting operation by Channel 4 News. The author describes the party as "frighteningly amateur" and in need of professionalization to better defend itself against perceived enemies on the Left. Despite these criticisms, the piece maintains that Reform's appeal to millions of voters makes it a vital force that cannot be easily dismissed.
The central thesis is that the Conservative Party, having been in power for 14 years and facing public disenchantment over policies like Net Zero and immigration, cannot regain power alone. It argues that only a pre-election pact between the Tories and Reform can offer a viable path to toppling Labour and preventing what the author terms the country's "bankruptcy."