Suella calls for Reform and the Conservatives to unite

Braverman Calls for Conservative-Reform UK Alliance During Trump Inauguration Visit

In a landmark interview during her Washington DC visit for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has made a striking call for unity between the Conservative Party and Reform UK, suggesting this alliance represents the crucial formula for defeating Labour in upcoming elections.

Speaking exclusively to The Telegraph, Mrs Braverman outlined her vision for a dramatic realignment of Britain’s right-wing political landscape. Her comments come at a particularly sensitive moment for the Conservative Party, as current leader Kemi Badenoch grapples with declining poll numbers and mounting pressure from Reform UK’s growing influence.

## Proposed Coalition Structure

The former Home Secretary elaborated on several possible formats for this proposed unity, demonstrating remarkable flexibility in her approach. “We need to come to some kind of accommodation,” she explained, outlining various potential structures:
– A complete merger between the parties
– A formal coalition arrangement
– A supply and confidence agreement
– A non-aggression pact

Mrs Braverman emphasised that while the exact mechanism remains open for discussion, the fundamental necessity for right-wing unity is paramount. “I don’t know what the precise form looks like,” she acknowledged, “but in general, I am in favour of unifying the Right.”

## Personal Position and Reform UK

Adding intrigue to her proposals, Mrs Braverman’s own political future appears increasingly fluid. She has notably declined to rule out the possibility of defecting to Reform UK, and when questioned about her future party affiliation, refused to confirm whether she would remain a Conservative MP through the end of the current Parliament.

Her personal connection to Reform UK through her husband Rael’s defection to the party has been presented as evidence that such cooperation is viable. “The people who are in Reform are largely conservatives who have lost patience with our party and that’s our fault,” she observed, criticising fellow Tories who have dismissed Reform UK supporters.

## Trump’s Influence and British Conservatism

Mrs Braverman’s Washington visit appeared to significantly influence her vision for British conservatism’s future direction. Dressed in what she self-deprecatingly described as a “Virgin Atlantic air stewardess” style Republican red suit, she praised Trump’s approach to governance and suggested British conservatives should embrace similar strategies.

She particularly emphasised Trump’s role in transforming political discourse: “Donald Trump has not just shifted the Overton window, he’s shattered it. He’s made the unsayable mainstream and he’s made the radical much more acceptable to the moderates.”

## Policy Proposals

Drawing inspiration from Trump’s presidency, Mrs Braverman outlined several bold policy positions:

### International Relations
– Advocated for UK withdrawal from the World Health Organisation
– Expressed scepticism toward the Paris climate agreement
– Suggested Britain should reconsider its net zero commitments

### Domestic Policy
– Called for the abolition of the Office of Budget Responsibility
– Criticised current approaches to multiculturalism
– Advocated for stricter immigration controls
– Supported withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights

## Political Strategy

Mrs Braverman emphasised the need for British conservatives to adopt what she termed an “anti-establishment” stance, suggesting they should “tear up the rule book” and embrace “raw and unfiltered conservatism.” She particularly praised Trump’s immediate executive actions, including his policy on gender recognition.

Her criticism extended to Conservative colleagues who had previously embraced certain progressive positions, such as “taking the knee” or accepting certain contemporary gender theories, which she characterised as “errors of the past.”

## Electoral Implications

The timing of Mrs Braverman’s comments carries particular significance given current polling data showing Reform UK gaining ground against the Conservatives. Her proposal for unity appears aimed at preventing a split in the right-wing vote that could benefit Labour in future elections.

## Washington Visit Context

Mrs Braverman’s presence at the inauguration celebrations, including the Liberty ball, marked her as one of the most senior Tory MPs in attendance. She criticised senior Conservative figures, including Lord Hague and Michael Gove, for their previous support of Kamala Harris, suggesting this represented a misalignment with conservative values.

In a lighter moment, she noted her coincidental encounters with other British political figures in Washington, including sharing a flight with Laurence Fox and staying at the same Georgetown hotel as broadcaster Emily Maitlis, about whom she made somewhat sardonic comments regarding the liberal response to Trump’s victory.