Tory leader Kemi Badenoch dismisses Reform UK as ‘protest party’ – as Farage eyes up her seat

KEMI Badenoch dismissed Reform UK as a “protest party” — while Nigel Farage warned her he was coming for her seat.

The Tory leader’s put-down came as Mr Farage gathered 400 supporters in her constituency, North West Essex, last night.

On the fifth anniversary of Brexit, he warned the Tories he would be a threat at the next election.

Latest polling has put Reform in second place with 24 per cent, one point ahead of the Tories, and just two points behind Labour.

But Ms Badenoch, on a visit to a farm in Cheshire, said: “It’s not a surprise protest parties are gaining in the polls.

“I’m here talking about the family farm tax.

“That’s much more important than having a rally about myself.”

Last week, Badenoch tore into Farage after he hinted Shamima Begum should be allowed to return to Britain.

She said a Conservative government would never “take back terrorists” otherwise there is no deterrent.

She added: “Citizenship means committing to a country and wanting its success.

"It’s not an international travel document for crime tourism.”

It comes after Reform leader Farage said he was “now thoughtful” about her return to the UK.

He told ITV “instinctively” it is not something he would want to do.

But added: “I’m now thoughtful.

"I don’t classify her as an ISIS, an all-out ISIS killer.”

And said that he believes her to be “a lesser part of the equation”.

It comes after Donald Trump’s incoming counter-terrorism chief called for the repatriation of British members of ISIS held in Syrian prison camps.

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