Badenoch Dismisses Reform UK as Protest Party Amid Farage's Challenge

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, has dismissed Reform UK as a 'protest party' amid rising polling support for Nigel Farage's group, which recently reported 24% backing, just ahead of the Tories. As Farage prepared for a rally in her North West Essex constituency, Badenoch emphasized her focus on key issues like farming taxes rather than competitors' rallies. She acknowledged the growing visibility of protest parties but reiterated that her priority is to hold the Labour government accountable. The tension between Badenoch and Farage has heightened with recent disputes over party membership figures and comments regarding the repatriation of UK ISIS members. Despite the challenges posed by Reform UK, Badenoch remains confident about her leadership and the Conservative Party's direction. Official figures have shown record-high net migration since Brexit, leading to internal party discussions about immigration policies.