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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Craig Paton

Why Kemi Badenoch feels Tories are ‘better off’ losing members

  • Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated that defections from her party to Nigel Farage’s Reform party are positive, as those leaving "don’t believe in conservatism."
  • Nigel Farage’s Reform party has been steadily gaining councillors from the Tories in Scotland, with councillor Lauren Knight being the latest to defect.
  • Badenoch criticised Reform's policies, including nationalising oil and gas and increasing benefits, asserting they are not a centre-right party.
  • Badenoch attacked former Tory MSP Jamie Greene for supporting the Scottish Government’s gender reforms and labelled Nigel Farage a "threat to the union," suggesting he could enable the SNP to remain in power.
  • Badenoch announced that the Tories would scrap the windfall tax on oil and gas if they regain power and criticised Labour's plan to maintain the levy until 2030, claiming it would harm the oil and gas industry.

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