“We are fighting for every single vote. We just lost an election, a historic defeat worse than 200 years,” Mrs Badenoch began.

“Yet we’re coming back. I am getting a positive reception on the doorstep,” she insisted.

“We are the only serious alternative to Labour.

“You can have lots of unserious alternatives and a serious alternative,” the Tory leader added.

Keen to uncover the inference of Mrs Badenoch’s remark, Camilla put the prospect of Nigel Farage’s party to her.

“People are angry, and they’re looking at what else is out there.

Kemi Badenoch has declared that the Conservatives are the ‘only serious alternative’ to Labour

 | GB NEWS

“If there were a general election announced, people would not be thinking about protest.

“They’d be thinking about who is the serious, credible alternative. And we are the only show in town for that,” the Tory leader insisted.

Despite the tough talk, Camilla pressed Mrs Badenoch on the possibility of an alliance with Reform.

“We had Nigel Farage say something really interesting in the week, when asked about forming a coalition with the Tories after the election, if needs be.

The Tory leader characterised Nigel Farage and Reform UK as ‘unserious’

| GETTY

“He said, and I quote, ‘let’s see’. That’s a slight contrast to his previous comment, in which he said he had no intention of forming coalitions with the Tories.

“You are, both of you, being performative in saying we can’t do any deals at all,” the GB News host argued.

“Let me just stop you there, this is not performance,” Mrs Badenoch cut in.

“No deal. He’s the person who is flip-flopping, as he always does.

‘An election is about getting ready to govern the country. It’s not a contest where you get an award and go home,’ the Tory leader stressed

 | GB NEWS

“I want more benefits. I want less benefits. I’m going to cut taxes. Or actually, I can’t cut taxes. He is not serious.

“I have been very consistent. We cannot do deals with a Reform party that is not really of the right. It is just populist,” the Tory leader slammed.

Regarding her own chances in a general election, Mrs Badenoch declared: “We are ready”.

“We’ve got a whole suite of policies. We’ve worked out where the money is going to come from, getting people back to work, getting them off welfare, energy and defence and security.

“Where’s Nigel Farage as defence spokesperson?

“He’s not ready for an election. He hasn’t got anyone doing foreign affairs or defence.

“An election is about getting ready to govern the country.

“It’s not a contest where you get an award and go home,” she added.