British politics is heating up once again, and this time it’s not just about Labour’s troubles.
Nadine Dorries, the former Culture Secretary who made headlines last week by defecting from the Conservatives to Reform UK, is now pushing for two of the country’s biggest political personalities—Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson—to join forces.
She argued that only a united front could stop Labour from holding on to power, describing the pair as the “biggest egos in modern British politics” but insisting they should find a way to work together for the good of the country.
Farage’s Rallying Cry at Reform UK Conference
Her remarks came just as Nigel Farage closed Reform UK’s annual party conference in Birmingham.
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd, he urged supporters to prepare for power, stressing the need for “discipline” and warning members to keep internal disagreements behind closed doors.
Reform UK, buoyed by defections and growing disillusionment with the Conservatives, is positioning itself as the main challenger to Labour’s authority.
Labour in Crisis After Rayner’s Resignation
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer’s government is reeling from the shock resignation of Angela Rayner, who stepped down on Friday after it was revealed she failed to pay up to £40,000 in tax on a luxury apartment.
The scandal has given ammunition to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who argued in a Mail on Sunday article that Labour no longer has the “moral authority” to raise property taxes.
She accused the party of hypocrisy, pointing out that Rayner herself had called for higher stamp duty while avoiding her own tax obligations.
Trouble Brewing Inside Labour
The fallout from Rayner’s resignation is far from over.
Jewish community leaders have already voiced concerns about Shabana Mahmood, the newly appointed Home Secretary, calling her a pro-Palestinian “activist” who had “encouraged mob rule.”
At the same time, old comments by incoming Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper resurfaced, in which she accused Donald Trump of “Islamophobia, xenophobia and hatred.”
These revelations risk deepening divisions and complicating Starmer’s attempts to stabilise his Cabinet.
A Risky Reshuffle and Rising Speculation
Sir Keir’s panic reshuffle is already showing signs of unraveling.
The party now faces a tense deputy leadership contest, with the Labour Left preparing to rally behind a high-profile candidate.
Rumours are also swirling around Angela Rayner’s future.
Sources close to her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency suggested she might go as far as resigning her parliamentary seat, potentially triggering a by-election.
Such a move could open the door for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to enter Westminster—possibly setting him up as a future leadership contender.
Nadine Dorries Warns of a Divided Right
Dorries, who declared the Conservative Party “dead” when announcing her defection, warned that a fractured right-wing vote would only benefit Labour and could even empower an “unholy alliance” of Jeremy Corbyn, the Greens, and Angela Rayner.
She believes that some kind of cooperation between Reform and the Conservatives is essential but admitted that Nigel Farage has little interest in welcoming the majority of Tory MPs into his fold.
According to her, only a handful of Conservative figures would be acceptable to him.
Liz Truss Rumoured to Be Circling
Another twist at the Reform conference came in the form of speculation about Liz Truss.
Delegates whispered that the former Prime Minister had been “sniffing around” Reform, with groups she founded—Popular Conservatism and the Growth Commission—dominating side events.
However, insiders suggested Farage was unlikely to bring her formally into the party, one delegate quipping: “Nigel is not mad.”
Reform UK Eyes the Next Election
Farage has put his party on high alert, warning members to prepare for an early general election as soon as 2027, predicting that Labour’s government could collapse before its time.
One of the most striking moments of the conference came when Lucy Connolly, who previously served a prison sentence for a racist tweet, took the stage.
After receiving support from Reform deputy leader Richard Tice during her incarceration, she promised to use her “experiences” to shape the party’s criminal justice policies. Her appearance drew a standing ovation.
The Bigger Picture
For now, Labour is battling internal chaos, while Reform is making its pitch as a disciplined, energised movement ready to capitalise on discontent. The Conservatives, meanwhile, are stuck in the middle, watching defectors like Nadine Dorries strengthen Farage’s hand.
The real question is whether Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage, two men with famously clashing egos, could ever truly set aside their differences to reshape the political map—or whether the right will remain too divided to stop Labour’s dominance.