KEMI: I CAN FACE OFF REFORM THREAT TO WIN BACK VOTERS

KEMI Badenoch insists she can "face off" the double threat of Sir Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage to restore the Tories to power.

- Martyn Brown

Speaking to the Daily Express, the favourite to become the Conservative Party leader vowed to stop the Prime Minister from "ruining" Britain.

She also pledged to win back "let-down" voters who ditched the party at the general election in favour of Reform UK. And she promised to "always fight" for what Express readers believe in having pride in the UK, patriotism and Brexit.

The former Business Secretary is vying with Robert Jenrick for the Tory crown, with bookmakers expecting her to be victorious on November 2.

In a wide-ranging interview, Mrs Badenoch says she has the "vision" to rebuild the party after the "rockbottom" result in the summer polls.

In the short term, she warns that many British values are "under attack" from left-wing parties.

Addressing readers directly, she said: "Daily Express readers have known I have always fought for what they believe in - whether it was pride in our country, patriotism, stopping those people who want to talk the UK down and fighting for Brexit.

"Making sure Britain holds its place in the world as a No1 nation that is a shining light and helps to make the world a better place.

"Many of those values are under attack by the Left. We need a leader who can both deal with the left-wing that is Keir Starmer but also the split on the Right, which Nigel Farage brings with the Reform party.

"I can do both. I can face off that threat that is coming from Farage and stand up to Keir Starmer who is going to ruin our country."

The Labour leader is firmly in her crosshairs and she blasted him and his party for being "hypocritical" because of the freebies scandal in which the PM bagged himself free Taylor Swift tickets, clothes and a corporate box to watch his beloved Arsenal play.