Speculation is mounting around Priti Patel’s political future, with bookies placing her at 5/1 odds to become the next leader of Reform UK, following Nigel Farage. William Hill has ranked only Suella Braverman, currently at 3/1, ahead of Patel in the race to succeed Farage as leader of the right-wing party.
After being eliminated early from the Conservative Party leadership race, rumours have swirled about Patel’s possible defection to Reform UK. Before her exit, the former Home Secretary vowed to restore the Conservative Party’s fortunes, expressing confidence in the party’s ability to win the next general election.
Despite the setback in her Tory leadership bid, Patel remains vocal about her commitment to the party’s values, stating: “We are a patriotic party, a national party who believes in the union and the matters which concern hard-working people every single day.”
However, political insiders suggest Patel could make a move to Reform UK, especially as the party positions itself to attract disillusioned Conservative voters. Lee Phelps, a spokesperson for William Hill, commented: “Priti Patel’s Tory leadership campaign didn’t live up to much after she was eliminated in the first round of voting, and we think that could prompt her to switch to Reform UK.”
Whether Patel will indeed switch parties remains to be seen, but with both her and Braverman in the running for Reform UK leadership, the next few months could prove pivotal in shaping the party’s future under new leadership.
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