Kemi Badenoch warned she 'must come up with policy' to counter Reform UK after major polling surge

The comments come as Reform UK has taken the lead in national opinion polls for the first time, marking a historic moment in British politics.

Gullis explained: "I never saw the finances in my time as a Member of Parliament and deputy chairman, but I'm not shocked by the fact that when you go into opposition after 14 years, it's always going to be difficult. I think any party faces that financial reality.

“But I think it does come to a wider point about discussing what CCHQ is there for. Kemi Badenoch is reported as saying that their job is simply to make sure we get the fundraising in to ultimately support the campaigning activities of MPs, candidates and councillors across the country.

“Because ultimately, we have an almighty task on our hands. It might be a task that we try and fulfil, but ultimately still end up failing because of the distrust of the British public have towards us. But it’s a fight that we must be willing to have.

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"If I was reminding donors why they should stick with us it’s because ultimately, if you look at what history shows you, it takes time when you're in opposition after 14 years of Government.

“We saw Labour took 14 years to come back, we saw the Conservatives taking 13 years after the Blair and Brown years. So it does take time.

“Secondly, I think there was always going to be an ultimate crossover with Reform. Ultimately, Reform are benefiting from not being Labour nor being Conservative.

"Kemi Badenoch’s only been in the job for a couple of months and it's going to take time for her to come up with policy, to try and show that we are an opposition that is able to hold this government to account, and then actually try and convince the British public to give us another shot.

“I keep reiterating this because I don't think enough Conservative parliamentarians are aware of the reality they're facing. We can do all this but the public might well and truly have already made their mind up about the Conservative Party and are not willing to give us another look.

“I think 2026 is still going to be challenging. We're going to see Reform surge in Wales. They'll do well in Scotland, they'll gain even more councillors. They may already have the mayor in Andrea Jenkyns.

“I think if Conservative parliamentarians in particular are not mentally prepared for that reality, panic will ensue. We’ll end up in-fighting, Kemi will be the one they point the finger at and ultimately, it will just be a further gift toReform who ultimately we obviously have to try and somehow see off.

“I would rather see Conservative Party funds being used to fight these county council elections this May and prepare for the elections next year than paying for special advisors who cost a hell of a lot of money. I hope Kemi Badenoch is given the time. I hope Conservative MPs don't panic."

Reform UK has taken the lead in national opinion polls for the first time, marking a historic moment in British politics.

The YouGov poll, conducted on Sunday and Monday, put Nigel Farage's party at 25 per cent support.

This places Reform one point ahead of the governing Labour Party and four points clear of the Conservatives.

The unprecedented surge comes just seven months after Labour won a landslide victory in the general election.

Reform appears to be drawing significant support from former Conservative voters, with nearly a quarter of those who backed the Tories in July now saying they would vote for Reform.