Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has poured cold water on any suggestion of a pact with the Conservatives. Speaking with Sky News – which obtained a leaked recording of former Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick saying he is "determined" for the Right "to be united" – Farage talked down any hint of a deal with the Tories.

While questioning Jenrick's authenticity as a genuine 'conservative' as well as the shadow justice secretary's aspirations to succeed under-fire Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, Farage said: "It's not happening, our voters came to us from the Conservatives because they felt so betrayed by the Conservatives."

The Reform chief added: "Why would we [join forces], given what we're building here, why would we want to ally to a Conservative Party we don't agree with and, frankly, we see as a failing brand."

Farage knows any overture from the Tories could be an attempt to constrain the Reform chief, who – on current polling – would be the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons and most likely to lead any potential Reform-Tory coalition government.

Farage has already rebuffed talk of pacts at local council level, something Badenoch hinted at, although the Conservative leader ruled out any nationwide deal. This comes as Reform UK remain favourites to win the Runcorn by-election on May 1, while expected to win numerous local authority seats as well.

Meanwhile, another opinion poll – this time by Find Out Now – puts Reform eight points ahead of both parties. Admittedly Find Out Now tends to give higher rankings for Reform. Still, YouGov also recently had Reform two points ahead of Labour, having previously ranked Labour one point ahead.

The upshot is a Reform brand which is booming, screams authenticity, senses a gap in the market, and would be tainted by association with the toxic Tories. As May 1 looms then, Reform has an unprecedented opportunity to redefine British politics beyond the old Left/Right paradigm, and start to replace the Tories once and for all.