By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-03-14 11:51:32 | Updated at 2025-03-14 15:35:44
4 hours ago
Kemi Badenoch has issued a warning to Reform UK, suggesting Nigel Farage's party of "counting their chickens" ahead of next year's Holyrood elections.
Speaking on her first visit to Scotland since becoming Conservative leader, she said she had to "start rebuilding trust" with voters by setting out a new direction while "acknowledging mistakes that we made."
Badenoch also issued a warning to Unionist voters that backing Reform UK would only help the SNP cling onto power.
It comes after Reform deputy chair Richard Tice told The Telegraph last week that it was a "given" and "done" that they would beat the Tories at the Scottish elections next year.
Kemi Badenoch warns Nigel Farage not to assume Reform will beat the Tories: 'It's just not serious'
PA
It comes after Reform deputy chair Richard Tice told The Telegraph last week that it was a "given" and "done" that they would beat the Tories at the Scottish elections next year
PA
A Reform UK spokesman said: “We are not counting our chickens or being in any way complacent, quite the opposite: we are out every day working hard and not taking voters for granted like the Tories did for years.
"The reality is she and her irrelevant party have been routinely beaten by Reform UK in Glasgow and across Central Scotland – given the 14 years of failure of Tories in power we’re not surprised about that.
"The Scottish Conservatives like to pretend only they can beat the SNP, but in reality they’ve been part of the bubble that has failed Scotland.”
Earlier this week, Scotland's former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed she would be standing down as an MSP and not contend in next year's Holyrood election.
Earlier this week, Scotland's former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed she would be standing down as an MSP and not contend in next year's Holyrood election
Reuters
Sturgeon resigned as First Minister in March 2023 after eight years in the role, including her party's unsuccessful campaign for Scotland to be independent from the United Kingdom.
Speaking following her announcement, Sturgeon said: "I feel sad, because we are talking here about me turning the page on my life, so far.
"I’ve dedicated my life to trying to make Scotland a better place, I’ve dedicated my life to public service."
