Kemi Badenoch ruled out a Conservative-Reform UK merger this week, but could the under pressure Tory leader be beaten by the increasingly popular Nigel Farage in the next general election?

Since the last general election, the Conservatives have been under huge and growing pressure from Mr Farage’s party, who have capitalised on Labour’s dwindling popularity and the Conservaties lack of momentum.

In 2025, Mr Farage became first UK political leader of the year to appear on a public platform, but how realistic is his ambition to achieve power and will Ms Badenoch take victory in the future?

The Conservatives are now trailing behind Reform UK according to some polls, and just yesterday the Tory leader was dealt a fresh blow when Farage was crowned the most popular politician in the country, according to a Friderichs Advisory and JL Partners poll.

However, by being the face of a Tory recovery, Ms Badenoch could also pose a risk for Farage’s popularity.

Just yesterday Ms Badenoch delivered her first major speech as Conservative Party leader, where she pledged to “turn Britain around” and acknowledged the Tories past mistakes.

The speech marked Mrs Badenoch’s latest attempt to reset the Conservative Party’s direction after what she called its “greatest ever defeat.”

Ms Badenoch questioned the credibility of Mr Farage’s party, repeating her earlier scepticism about its growing membership claims.

She added: “Nigel Farage has been knocking around for 20-plus years, leading all sorts of different parties, so he’s had a head start. Let’s see where we are in a few months and years.”

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But can Kemi Badenoch beat Nigel Farage at next general election? Have your say in the poll below:

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Ms Badenoch’s strained relationship with Mr Farage has been well-documented, having previously cast doubt on his claims about Reform UK’s rising popularity.

Mr Farage’s quip about Ms Badenoch “knowing her online audience” refers to her previous claim that “Farage doesn’t understand the digital age”.

Much now depends on this year’s local elections which will give an indication of how credible a Reform threat is. Farage has said that he will be “throwing the kitchen sink” at next May’s elections and has pledged to stand in every single English County Council seat.