James Cleverly warns Tories against deal with Farage for right-wing votes

James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary and a contender for Tory leadership, has expressed strong opposition to the idea of forming an alliance with Nigel Farage and Reform UK to regain right-wing voters. He criticized this approach as 'lazy' and 'naïve,' arguing that it would not address the underlying issues that led to the loss of voter confidence. Instead, he emphasized the need for the Conservative Party to engage in honest discussions about taxation and immigration policies to rebuild credibility with the electorate. Cleverly's remarks came during appearances on Sky News and BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, where he highlighted the risk of the Labour Party potentially holding power for an extended period if the right-wing remains fragmented. He pointed out that the Tories must focus on their core values and not mimic other parties to win back voters. This perspective reflects a broader concern within the party about the impact of losing votes to Reform UK, particularly on immigration issues. Additionally, Cleverly addressed questions regarding future donations from Frank Hester, who has faced backlash for controversial comments about former Labour MP Diane Abbott. While he condemned Hester's remarks, he acknowledged that Hester had apologized and previously donated to the Conservative Party to counter the Labour government. Cleverly's stance indicates a strategic approach for the Tories, aiming to regain voter trust through authenticity rather than opportunistic alliances, which he believes could be detrimental to the party's long-term prospects.