Kemi: Reform 'is a threat to the Union'

UK CONSERVATIVE leader Kemi Badenoch branded Nigel Farage a “threat to the Union” as she vowed to save her party “from the brink”.

- By David Walker

Polls suggest the Scottish Tories may finish in fourth place behind the SNP, Labour and Reform in next year’s Holyrood elections after two terms as the main opposition.

Ms Badenoch also dismissed recent Reform defectors as “not Conservatives” as she claimed their rivals are not a “right wing party” as they believe in nationalisation and increasing benefits.

Worried

She was speaking yesterday at the Scottish Tory conference in Edinburgh during a testing time for the party.

Mr Farage paid his own visit this month to campaign in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, where he claimed he would wipe out the Tories next year and could be the main opposition party.

But this could also mean another five years of SNP rule.

Ms Badenoch dismissed claims from rivals her party was finished in Scotland, pointing out Mr Farage’s comments where he said he wouldn’t back Anas Sarwar as First Minister, so letting the Nats back in.