Farage Denies Conservative Merger Talks

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has denied reports that he privately informed party donors of an impending deal or merger with the Conservative Party ahead of the next general election, expected by August 2029. The claims, based on conversations with donors, emerged in discussions about potential cooperation between the two right-leaning parties, amid Reform's rising popularity and a wave of defections from the Conservatives.

According to accounts from Reform donors, Farage described such an arrangement as inevitable, though it would require time due to lingering distrust stemming from the 2019 general election. During that campaign, Farage's then-Brexit Party agreed not to field candidates in seats held by incumbent Conservatives, helping Boris Johnson's party secure a large majority. Farage has since accused the Conservatives of betraying that pact through policies that allowed record levels of immigration.

One donor recounted Farage's view that any agreement would occur on Reform's terms, positioning the party to effectively absorb or overtake the Conservatives. Another donor emphasized the need for unity on the right to avoid division, noting that the Conservatives had...