VOTING REFORM 'RISKS LOSING HUNDREDS OF TORY MPS FOR A GENERATION

WAVERING voters risk wiping out hundreds of Tory MPs in return for just "a few inexperienced Reform candidates," warns Kemi Badenoch today.

- Sam Lister

In a direct appeal to Express readers, the Business Secretary said she understands the frustration and anger many feel over issues such as rising immigration.

But with just 48 hours to go before polls open, she warns that change for the sake of it will leave the country worse off.

Writing in the Express, Ms Badenoch urges voters to back the Tories, insisting: "All our lives depend on it." She says: "Now is a time for serious politics. If people don't vote Conservative, we will swap large numbers of experienced Conservative MPs for lots of Labour MPs and a few inexperienced Reform candidates.

"[Party leader Nigel] Farage and a handful of Reform MPs will not do the hard work in select committees and debates that limit the damage Labour can do. Worst of all, we could lose our ability to hold the Labour Party to account.

"This is why I am writing to urge people to back local Conservative candidates and our shared values by voting Conservative this Thursday. All our lives depend on it." An average of all polls over the last week puts Labour on 40%, the Tories on 20%, followed by Reform 16%, Lib Dems 12% and the Greens on 6%.

But the quirks of the voting system mean the total of seats Mr Farage's party is likely to win would be in single figures while Sir Ed Davey's Lib Dems might win dozens.

A mix of polls gives the Tories from as few as 50 seats to more than 150.