Farage no longer wants a deal with the Tories, he wants to destroy them
Farage Shifts from Alliance to Aggression: A Campaign to Unseat the Tories
A crisp March morning finds me at a modest service station, its facade now adorned in Reform’s signature teal hue. The forecourt buzzes with activity, as a cluster of journalists, cameras, and onlookers gather to witness the spectacle.
Across the price board, a bold banner declares “Reform Refuel: 25p off with Farage.” The scene is staged for maximum impact, with Reform UK securing a temporary partnership with the garage’s owner to offer fuel discounts. Alan Graves, Reform’s Derbyshire County Council leader, arrives in his turquoise Bentley, while Robert Jenrick, a prominent ex-Conservative, loiters nearby. Nigel Farage soon joins them, stepping out of a Land Rover in a flat cap, barbour jacket, and corduroys.
Jenrick ascends the ladder to update the price tags, while Farage stands below, absorbing the attention. This one-day collaboration with the garage is a calculated move to leverage public visibility. The duo’s appearance at the Peak District station aims to pressure the government into reversing planned fuel duty hikes by highlighting “green spending” cuts.
“We will spend the next few months trying to shame Rachel Reeves into cancelling [the 5p] rise in fuel duty in September. But if she doesn’t—whether because she’s running scared of the Greens or in hock to her far-left backbenchers—then Reform will reverse it in our first budget,” Farage asserts.
The stunt quickly spreads across social media, fueling Farage’s high-energy press conference. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch posts a similar message: “Labour know exactly what a fuel duty hike will do to hardworking families, but they’re doing it anyway. It’s wrong.”
Badenoch positions herself as a firm voice on the issue, yet her policy stance remains elusive. Reform, however, has outmaneuvered her, securing the spotlight with its bold tactics. The party now challenges the Conservatives as an insurgent force, leading in over 240 polls since the general election.
Contrast this with 2019, when Farage’s Brexit Party entered an electoral pact with the Tories. They agreed to forgo contesting 317 seats to help Boris Johnson secure power. At the time, Farage was welcomed with open arms by right-wing Tories at a Liz Truss event, even mingling with Priti Patel.
But the tides turned before the 2024 election. Farage’s takeover of Reform UK coincided with the Conservatives’ historic low, losing 121 seats. His party captured five constituencies, earning 14.3% of the vote, and began a rapid ascent. Reform now holds a dozen councils and two mayoralties, with ex-Tory members flocking to its cause.
Robert Jenrick, once a loyal Conservative, now serves as Farage’s key ally. His defection to Reform UK marks a significant blow to the party he once supported. Jenrick recalls the emotional weight of leaving: “If anyone thinks it’s an easy thing to do, to leave a party that you’ve been a part of since you were 16, they don’t understand what this is about.”
Jenrick’s journey from EU supporter to Reform’s chief strategist reflects the growing divide. With the Conservatives struggling to adapt, Farage’s vision of dismantling the party has become a reality. The battle for the right has escalated, and Reform UK stands at the forefront of this ideological confrontation.
