Reform UK's mayoral candidate Dame Andrea Jenkyns has dismissed reports of a potential Conservative-Reform "mega-party" as "fake news", following speculation about senior Tories considering joining forces with Nigel Farage's party.
Speaking to GB News' Camilla Tominey Show, the former Conservative MP rejected claims that discussions had taken place between allies of Boris Johnson, Robert Jenrick and Nigel Farage about uniting the right.
"This is just fake news. I know Boris, I know Robert [Jenrick]. They're both friends. I know Nigel, he's a friend and this just has not happened," Jenkyns told viewers.
According to the Mail on Sunday, sources suggested Reform UK leader Nigel Farage would be willing to work with Boris Johnson "in the national interest" to defeat Labour.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns shut down reports of a 'mega-party' between Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage
GB News / PA
The proposed arrangement could have taken several forms, including a non-aggression pact, coalition, or full merger.
An Electoral Calculus poll cited in the reports showed Reform on 24 per cent, with Labour and the Tories level on 23 per cent, suggesting a combined right-wing alliance could command a significant parliamentary majority.
Jenkyns suggested the reports were a strategic move by Prime Minister Kemi Badenoch's team to undermine both Reform UK and Robert Jenrick.
"What I actually think is this is Kemi's team briefing the media to make out that, number one because they're behind in the polls, so to make it out that Robert is trying to do a deal and that Nigel cannot get a government in his own right, and to try and just discredit Robert," she said.
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Sources close to the Reform UK leader have claimed that Farage is prepared to work with Boris Johnson 'in the national interest' of defeating Labour
PAShe drew parallels with her experience in government, citing a previous incident involving Boris Johnson where briefings had been fabricated.
"We know that leaders of the opposition, governments, they do brief stuff like this, and I think it's a deflection tactic," Jenkyns added.
Jenkyns highlighted Reform UK's growing strength, pointing to their current polling success against both major parties.
"Look at where we are now as the Reform party. I mean, consistently, we're beating Labour and Conservatives, and we're four years away from an election," she said.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns told GB News that the reports are 'fake news'
GB News
The former Tory MP emphasised Reform UK's rapid membership growth as evidence of their independent viability.
"We've got nearly 200,000 members already now, which is trouncing the Conservatives. So I think the only way is up actually," Jenkyns told GB News.
However, Jenkyns acknowledged that future cooperation couldn't be completely ruled out. "Yes, if the push comes to the shove, and we can't form a majority, we might need to look at that. But we're four years away," she said.
Jenkyns concluded: "We've got four years to actually build on this massive momentum. We've got nearly 200,000 members already now, which is trouncing the Conservatives. So I think the only way is up actually."
