Kemi Badenoch has launched a fierce attack on Nigel Farage, accusing the Reform UK leader of “cracking under pressure” as the battle over a potential Clacton by-election intensifies.
The Conservative leader said Mr Farage had enjoyed a long political honeymoon but was now struggling as scrutiny increased over his leadership and finances.
“He went on telly having a hissy fit because for the first time, he is finally having to face scrutiny,” Ms Badenoch said.
The Tory leader challenged voters to consider whether Mr Farage was a figure they could trust with the responsibility of becoming Prime Minister.
“Is this someone we can trust to be Prime Minister?” she asked, adding that the Reform leader should “man up and answer some questions.”
The clash marks a sharp escalation in the increasingly bitter rivalry between the Conservatives and Reform, with both parties fighting for support among right-leaning voters.
Mr Farage’s decision to trigger a by-election has drawn criticism from opponents across Westminster.
Trade union leaders accused him of using the contest as a political distraction amid questions over Reform’s finances and funding arrangements.
LIVE: I respond to Nigel Farage's resignation ⬇️ https://t.co/QAHYTmnObw
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) July 7, 2026
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak described the move as a “cynical political stunt”, while TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust called it “end of the pier show posturing”.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also attacked the Reform chief, arguing that taxpayers should not fund what he described as a “Farage vanity project”.
He accused Mr Farage of avoiding accountability and compared his political style to that of US President Donald Trump.
The criticism comes as Reform faces increasing pressure over claims and allegations surrounding political donations and links to wealthy supporters — issues Mr Farage has rejected.
Mr Farage has defended his decision and said Reform has offered to cover the cost of the by-election.
He said he had written to both Tendring County Council and Chancellor Rachel Reeves to confirm the offer.
The Reform leader has argued that voters deserve a fresh mandate and that the contest is about democratic accountability rather than political theatre.
The dispute highlights the growing struggle between Reform UK and the Conservatives for influence over Britain’s centre-right electorate.
Ms Badenoch has refused to confirm whether the Conservatives will field a candidate against Mr Farage in Clacton, saying the party would make its decision at the appropriate time.
She argued that avoiding unnecessary public spending should remain a priority.
“I don’t need to jump to Nigel Farage’s beat,” she said.
Meanwhile, Green Party leader Zack Polanski accused Mr Farage of being a “grifter brought down by his own grifting”, arguing that the controversy showed the need for stricter controls on political donations.
Mr Farage’s supporters have dismissed the criticism as an establishment attack and argue that Reform represents voters frustrated with traditional parties.
The row represents a crucial moment for Reform UK.
After years of campaigning from outside Parliament, Mr Farage is now facing the pressures that come with electoral responsibility: scrutiny of finances, policy details and leadership decisions.
For the Conservatives, the challenge is equally significant.
A strong Reform presence threatens to split the right-wing vote and reshape the future of British politics.
The coming Clacton contest may therefore become more than a by-election.
It could become a test of whether Nigel Farage’s movement can survive the transition from protest force to governing contender.
Leave a Comment