‘No way back,’ Kemi Badenoch tells defectors begging to return

UK Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has told politicians and supporters who abandoned the party for Reform UK that they should not expect to be welcomed back.

Badenoch said there was “no way back” for Tory defectors who left the Conservative Party for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, especially those now reportedly having second thoughts.

The British-Nigerian politician also described some of the defectors as “drama queens” and troublemakers who created problems while they were still inside the Conservative Party.

Her comments came after reports that some former Conservatives who defected to Reform UK had privately reached out to the Tories about returning.

But Badenoch, in a blunt message, said the party would not open its doors to politicians who abandoned it when things became difficult.

According to her, many of those who joined Reform were the same people causing problems within the Conservative Party before they left.

“Many of those who defected to Reform were the very people causing problems inside the Conservative Party,” she said.

Badenoch said every organisation has people who are always complaining, creating drama and making things difficult for others.

She said such people had now taken their problems with them to Reform UK.

The Conservative Party has suffered several high-profile defections to Reform in the past year, including former Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick and Danny Kruger, who was the party’s work and pensions spokesman.

However, reports suggest that some of those who left may now be reconsidering their decision as Badenoch works to rebuild confidence and unity within the Conservative Party.

Reform UK has also faced some setbacks recently, with Nigel Farage awaiting the outcome of a Commons standards inquiry over an alleged undeclared £5 million donation.

The party is also still recovering from Labour’s victory in last month’s Makerfield by-election, where Andy Burnham won for Labour.

Badenoch said the Conservatives had become more united and were now focused on presenting themselves as the party of common sense and tough decisions.

“The country does not need weak politicians who drift wherever the wind blows,” she said.

Her comments were quickly dismissed by Reform UK sources, who mocked her leadership and compared her to the “Captain of the Titanic.”

One Reform source said those still remaining in the Conservative Party had already missed their chance to escape.

The source also claimed that many former Tory MPs could face a difficult political future after the next general election.

The exchange has deepened the bitter political battle between the Conservatives and Reform UK, as both parties continue to fight for support among right-wing voters in Britain.