Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has hit back at Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch after she described Reform as a "woke" and "grievance" party, saying she had "lashed out" following a difficult week for the Tories. The exchange highlights the increasingly hostile relationship between the two parties, with Badenoch having already ruled out any electoral pact with Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

Badenoch made her comments on the Political Currency podcast, hosted by Ed Balls and George Osborne, accusing Reform of relying on "victim narratives" rather than "proper solutions". Yusuf responded by linking her remarks to a row over a convicted former neo-Nazi standing as a Conservative candidate, arguing the Tories had genuine grievances to answer for, including failing to cut net migration despite pledges, building only 400 net prison places while releasing "tens of thousands" of offenders early. He also criticised shadow home secretary Chris Philp for visiting the Channel this week to document migrant crossings.