Shadow Crime Minister Matt Vickers has firmly rejected any possibility of a merger between the Conservative Party and Reform UK, describing such prospects as "for the birds".
Speaking on GB News' Breakfast with Ellie Costello and Ben Leo, Vickers backed Kemi Badenoch's similar dismissal of the idea from the previous day.
"We're making our case to the British public. Let's see what comes in the coming months and in the coming years," Vickers said.
The Shadow Crime and Policing Minister emphasised that the Conservative Party would continue to pursue its own path forward.
Vickers dismissed current polling data, drawing from his personal experience as an MP. "If the polls were right, I wouldn't be standing here now. I'd have lost my seat," he told GB News.
He emphasised the distinction between opinion polls and actual election results: "Polls tell us one story, when the poll that matters is an election, where people actually cast their vote.
"They make a real decision about who they want to see run this country."
Vickers also defended Kemi Badenoch against recent polling suggesting half of Tory voters don't see her as a future Prime Minister.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
He acknowledged the party's recent electoral setbacks, stating: "We've got defeated roundly in the general election. We're back here learning those lessons, listening to what people have to say."
The Shadow Crime Minister emphasised that voters need more exposure to Badenoch: "People have got to hear a lot more from Kemi yet before they can make their minds up."
He added that as the party continues to outline clear policies, public support would grow: "As people see that, I'm sure they're going to want some more Kemi."
Vickers strongly contrasted the Conservative Party's immigration stance with Labour's approach.
He highlighted Labour's controversial positions: "They will allow people to become British citizens even if they come here illegally, the fact that they're going to remove our ability to verify the ages of people who arrive in this country illegally."
The Shadow Crime Minister also took aim at Reform UK's engagement on immigration policy.
"Last night, we were in there for several hours, four or five hours, debating the biggest issue of the day, which is immigration. We didn't see a Reform candidate contribute to that debate," he said.
"We've got a position on immigration. It's very clear for the British public," Vickers added.
Vickers emphasised that the choice for British voters would become increasingly clear ahead of the next election: "We're not doing opposition for opposition's sake. We're listening to what's coming forward from the government, making informed decisions."
The Shadow Crime Minister stressed that his party's position would be distinct from Labour's.
"The choice between what the Labour Party stands for and what we stand for, it's going to be even more clear by the time of the next election," Vickers concluded.
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Speaking on GB News' Breakfast with Ellie Costello and Ben Leo, Vickers backed Kemi Badenoch's similar dismissal of the idea from the previous day.
"We're making our case to the British public. Let's see what comes in the coming months and in the coming years," Vickers said.
The Shadow Crime and Policing Minister emphasised that the Conservative Party would continue to pursue its own path forward.
Vickers dismissed current polling data, drawing from his personal experience as an MP. "If the polls were right, I wouldn't be standing here now. I'd have lost my seat," he told GB News.
He emphasised the distinction between opinion polls and actual election results: "Polls tell us one story, when the poll that matters is an election, where people actually cast their vote.
"They make a real decision about who they want to see run this country."
Vickers also defended Kemi Badenoch against recent polling suggesting half of Tory voters don't see her as a future Prime Minister.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Tories in Farage 'civil war' as Badenoch urged to back Reform pact on day 100 as leader
- Kemi Badenoch denies Tory Party is 'going bust' - and says triple lock is safe if she wins election
- Nigel Farage 'alliance with Boris Johnson' fiercely shut down - 'Fake news!'
He acknowledged the party's recent electoral setbacks, stating: "We've got defeated roundly in the general election. We're back here learning those lessons, listening to what people have to say."
The Shadow Crime Minister emphasised that voters need more exposure to Badenoch: "People have got to hear a lot more from Kemi yet before they can make their minds up."
He added that as the party continues to outline clear policies, public support would grow: "As people see that, I'm sure they're going to want some more Kemi."
Vickers strongly contrasted the Conservative Party's immigration stance with Labour's approach.
He highlighted Labour's controversial positions: "They will allow people to become British citizens even if they come here illegally, the fact that they're going to remove our ability to verify the ages of people who arrive in this country illegally."
The Shadow Crime Minister also took aim at Reform UK's engagement on immigration policy.
"Last night, we were in there for several hours, four or five hours, debating the biggest issue of the day, which is immigration. We didn't see a Reform candidate contribute to that debate," he said.
"We've got a position on immigration. It's very clear for the British public," Vickers added.
Vickers emphasised that the choice for British voters would become increasingly clear ahead of the next election: "We're not doing opposition for opposition's sake. We're listening to what's coming forward from the government, making informed decisions."
The Shadow Crime Minister stressed that his party's position would be distinct from Labour's.
"The choice between what the Labour Party stands for and what we stand for, it's going to be even more clear by the time of the next election," Vickers concluded.
Find Out More...