Kemi Badenoch tells 'failed' ex-Tory MPs to join Reform UK in dig at Nigel Farage's defectors

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has taken aim at "failed" ex-Tory MPs, welcoming them to join Nigel Farage's party in a dig at defectors who made the switch Reform UK.

Writing in the Telegraph, Ms Badenoch said: "While Nigel Farage spends the summer arguing with a man with a bin on his head and Andy Burnham works out what he actually wants to do as Prime Minister after his successful coup against Sir Keir Starmer, I will be showing I’ve got a plan to get Britain working again."

The Conservtaive leader pointed to more than 2,000 applications to join the party, stepping up the selection process over the summer "as we build a government in waiting".

She continued: "We lost badly in 2024. The public do not want us to repeat the mistakes of the past. They want us to change. So, I am changing the party - and quickly.

"Some people should never have been candidates before. Some do not have the judgment. Some do not have the discipline. Some do not want the Conservative Party to change. Some say one thing in public and another in private."

Ms Badenoch said a party under her watch was not for "drama queens", pledging to build a team to deliver radical change in the 2030s, "not a retirement home for failed politicians".

On unsuitable members, she added: "If they want to jump on every passing fad that makes us look more like Liberal Democrats than Conservatives, there is no place for them in this party. We have to show we have changed for the better.

"Just look at Reform, whose candidate vetting standards would make Count Binface look like one of their most viable candidates.

"Reform cannot even be bothered to turn up to vote much of the time, and Labour MPs are desperately peacocking for Burnham. My current MPs are in training to make fantastic ministers in a future government I lead.

"We are building a party for the future and of the future, not recreating the past. No doubt some people will be disappointed. They will go to the papers and complain on their WhatsApp groups about being stitched-up. Some may brief journalists. Some will defect to Reform or the Liberal Democrats. So be it."

FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…

Clacton by-election officially confirmed for August 13

After speculation, the by-election in Clacton triggered by Nigel Farage’s resignation will be held on August 13, Tendring District Council has officially confirmed.

The by-election was called when the Reform UK leader stepped down amid controversy linked to party donations, with Mr Farage's finances currently under review by the Parliamentary Standards Committee.

He declared the by-election would signify "the people vs the establishment", offering the people of the constituency the power to determine his role in Westminster.

As it stands, oopposing parties including Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Restore Britain have all said they would not field a candidate.

However, Count Binface has declared his candidacy, with the parody candidate being accepted as Mr Farage's main contender.

Reclaim, the Rejoin EU party, the Monster Raving Looney Party and the Climate Party have said they will stand.

Richard Tice jumps to defend Nigel Farage over 'permissible' donation from Fiona Cottrell

Reform UK’s deputy leader has insisted a donor at the heart of a row over the party’s finances is “permissible”, and comes from a “very successful aristocratic family”.

Richard Tice said he believed reports about the money from Fiona Cottrell, the mother of George Cottrell, were a “politically motivated smear” against the party amid ongoing scrutiny over support and gifts received by its senior figures.

Asked whether he was aware of the probe, Mr Tice said: “No, that’s absolutely the first time I’ve heard of this investigation. And isn’t it a coincidence that it’s suddenly been leaked out the same week as all the stuff’s come out of the National Crime Agency?

“This is all a politically motivated smear campaign. It’s outrageous.”

Keir Starmer to meet with allies of Ukraine on Monday after busy Nato summit

Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Paris on Monday for a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” nations who back Ukraine, according to reports.

On Tuesday, he will then join other leaders at Bastille Day events, Downing Street has said.

The Prime Minster has been busy this week with Nato members in Ankara, Turkey - notably absent as prime-minister-to-be Andy Burnham's candidacy for the top job opened to voting, and Nigel Farage resigned as MP for Clacton to enact a by-election.

Nigel Farage facing 'anti-Trump playbook' amid ongoing donation scrutiny

Nigel Farage said he believed he was facing the “anti-Trump playbook” amid ongoing scrutiny over his finances.

It was put to the Reform UK leader on TalkTV that the US President had posted about “the sort of anti-Trump playbook playing out on you” after Mr Trump shared a link to an article on his Truth Social platform.

Mr Farage said: “Well, that’s what I believe, and that’s why I thought, let’s put it to the public.”

He said there should be a general election as well as a by-election, as Andy Burnham will have “no mandate of any kind at all, and the pubic are pretty sick of this game of musical chairs that goes on in No 10.”

On other parties boycotting the by-election, he said: “No, I didn’t expect them all to act together the way they did, but as I say, they are the uniparty.”

Culture Secretary says an Andy Burnham Government would be 'faster and bolder'

The Government will be “faster and bolder” under Andy Burnham than during Sir Keir Starmer’s time in No 10, a Cabinet minister said.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Radio 4: “I think there will be two things that will be different under Andy Burnham.

“The first is that it will be faster and bolder and he’s willing to think very differently about how we deliver that change.

“No 10 for the North has attracted a lot of interest, but that really is about shifting the centre of gravity in the country, so that all parts of the country are seen and heard and are able to contribute.

“But the second thing that I think will be different is that I think we will wear our hearts on our sleeve more. I think people will see us taking the fight to any system that stands in the way of them living better lives.

“And I really think, at the moment, at a time when trust in the power of government to change people’s lives is very weak, that that is an enormously important thing.”

Nigel Farage pays tribute to "absolute force of nature and loyal ally" Ann Widdecombe

Nigel Farage has said Ann Widdecombe was an “incredibly loyal ally” to Reform UK, hailing her as an “absolute force of nature.”

The Reform UK leader told TalkTV: “She was an absolute force of nature. She never let anyone, with any doubt in their minds at all where she stood on all the great issues of the day, and she was formidable too.

“I mean, I can tell you, the times when I used to get a phone call from Ann, abrupt Ann on the phone, saying she disagreed with what I’d done or what I’d said.

“And you know, she’d come to London and we’d sit down over a coffee and talk things through. But that was the thing about Ann - that all the disagreements she had with us over policy and direction and all the normal debate, that was always kept behind closed doors.

“You know, in public, she was the most incredibly loyal ally.”

He added that Miss Widdecombe moving to the Brexit Party was a “very significant” moment in “our political history”, adding: “She made us look serious. She made us look real.”

Health Secretary reflects on Ann Widdecombe's contribution to politics and public life

James Murray said Ann Widdecombe was “never shy of having quite firm views” and everyone “can recognise the contribution that she made to politics.”

The Health secretary told Times Radio: “I think she’s been such a large part of our politics for many years. I mean, she was never shy of having quite firm views and sharing them quite willingly, and I can’t say I always agreed with her views, but she was such a part of our politics.

“I think everyone can kind of recognise the contribution that she made to politics and the role that she played in our public life.”

Politicians share tributes to former MP and Brexit champion Ann Widdecombe

Politicians have paid tribute to former MP and Brexit champion Ann Widdecombe, who sadly died at the age of 78.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said in a post on social media: “My deepest condolences and those of the Conservative Party to the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe.

“She was a formidable politician who was never afraid to speak her mind and fought hard for what she believed. Always true to herself, her politics were strongly guided by her faith and her values. Rest in Peace, Ann.”

Health Secretary says Labour should 'come together around Andy’s vision'

James Murray said he would not get into “running commentary and conversations that I’m having with Andy or his team”, when asked whether he was speaking to prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham.

Asked how secure his job as Health Secretary was, Mr Murray told Times Radio: “As I said, I’m not going to give any running commentary, and any of those decisions are, of course, for Andy to take himself.”

Asked about Mr Burnham facing a potential grilling by the Parliamentary Labour Party next Monday, Mr Murray said: “I didn’t know that was happening but it’ll be interesting to go along and I think come together around Andy’s vision because some of the things that matter to me that Andy set out, his focus on devolution for instance.”