Tory frontbencher defies Kemi Badenoch by hinting there WILL be a cope with Reform – and refuses to rule out serving below Nigel Farage

A Tory frontbencher has defied Kemi Badenoch by hinting at an election deal with Reform.

Shadow transport minister Greg Smith said there ‘may well’ be a point when the right-wing parties need to ‘play nicely’ to avoid a left-wing government.

He also refused to rule out serving in an administration led by Nigel Farage.

The stance, in an interview with Talk TV, appeared to clash with Mrs Badenoch’s dismissal of the idea of a tie-up. 

She said earlier this week that the UK had to move away from ‘politics as showbusiness’ – a pointed reference to Mr Farage’s lucrative appearance on I’m A Celebrity in 2023. 

Shadow transport minister Greg Smith said there ‘may well’ be a point when the right-wing parties need to ‘play nicely’ to avoid a left-wing government

The stance, in an interview with Talk TV, appeared to clash with Kemi Badenoch’s (pictured) dismissal of the idea of a tie-up

Speaking to The Telegraph after launching her bid for a Tory revival, Mrs Badenoch said: ‘Having appeal doesn’t mean that people want you running their lives. That’s one of the things that we need to make sure that we remind people.

‘This isn’t I’m A Celebrity or Strictly Come Dancing. You don’t vote for the person that you’re enjoying watching and then switch off when the show’s over.

‘You’ve got to live with that person in your life, in your family’s life, at work and so on. That’s what elections are about. It’s not just about watching a show and switching it off. We’ve got to move away from politics as showbusiness.’

The Conservative leader also hit out at the infighting within Reform – which has five MPs –  that led to Great Yarmouth’s Rupert Lowe being suspended amid accusations about his conduct, which he has strenuously denied.

‘If they can’t unite with five people, how are they going to unite the Right?’ Mrs Badenoch said.

In his interview last night, Mr Smith said: ‘Look, I think if we want to get rid of socialism from this country, there may well be a point where the right-of-centre parties have to play nicely.

‘I don’t think we’re at the point of having to negotiate a deal like that at the moment. I very much hope we can have a Conservative victory.’ 

Mr Smith also refused to rule out serving in an administration led by Nigel Farage

While stressing that it ‘too early’ to make decisions, Mr Smith said: ‘I think there is going to come a point where the parties on the right of centre look at where things stand ahead of the 2029 general election.

‘And if there’s a risk of a continued Labour government – or possibly the worst case scenario a Labour-Lib Dem-SNP coalition that would almost certainly bring in PR or something like that… then I think there has to be some sort of deal negotiated.’

Asked if he would ‘serve in a Nigel Farage administration’, Mr Smith said: ‘It’s far too early to say. I’m going all out for a Conservative win.’