Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
Commentary argues Conservatives and Reform remain politically aligned
Kemi Badenoch criticised Reform UK in a Conservative conference speech and ruled out an electoral pact with the party.
Conservative and Reform figures have traded insults, including over a Derbyshire council by-election where the Greens gained from a split right-wing vote.
The commentary questions claims that the Conservatives are making a comeback, noting they lost 563 councillors and 40% of their councils.
It argues the right’s public divisions hide political alignment, rather than a clear break between the Conservatives and Reform.
As one example, Badenoch backed shadow cabinet member Nick Timothy after he condemned Islamic prayers in Trafalgar Square.
The piece says some people see a moderate centre-right party as a barrier to the far right, but argues this is not what is happening.
The dispute over the right’s direction continues, though no next step is specified.
A Guardian commentary argues that the Conservatives and Reform UK remain politically aligned despite public clashes between their figures.
The article says the Conservatives’ renewed positive media coverage does not mean their policies have substantially changed.
It points to Conservative positions on immigration and culture-war issues as evidence of overlap with Reform.
The commentary says the Conservatives may be presenting themselves as more reasonable while leaving Reform to absorb the political toxicity.
It also describes a split rightwing vote in a Derbyshire council byelection that benefited the Greens.
- Who
- The UK Conservative Party and Reform UK, as discussed by Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew.
- What
- Liew argues that public disagreements between the parties mask political alignment.
- When
- The article was published on 14 October 2026. The events it discusses are not dated.
- Where
- The United Kingdom, including a council byelection in Derbyshire.
- Why
- Liew says the parties’ public clashes and differing presentation obscure similarities in their politics.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Publication date
- 14 October 2026
- Guardian columnist
- Jonathan Liew
- Conservative leader
- Kemi Badenoch
- Councillors lost
- 563
- Council byelection
- Derbyshire
2 sources
What people are saying
weird
You do have to appear reasonable.
We have outsourced our toxicity to Reform.