I worry that if they indulge in a long stramash, that the main opposition voice will be Reform.
I don't think so for various reasons, not least because of the points that JP made - that if the tories become an incoherent inward looking rabble for a while the spotlight will inevitable fall on the party with 72 seats, the LibDems, rather than a party will 5 seats who will fight for the oxygen of publicity with other parties of similar size (SNP, Greens, Plaid, DUP).
But there are other reasons why Reform may actually find it harder to get coverage now than before the election, specifically.
1. Their whole mantra has been that they are the anti-establishment outsiders - 'vote for us because we aren't the b*****ds in Westminster' doesn't work so well when you are now part of the establishment and in Westminster.
2. The rules on broadcasting impartiality for parliamentary parties are stronger than for 'outsiders' - so while for years Farage was guaranteed a 'talking head' spot in Question Time and countless other media outlets, I think that will be much more restricted now. And his ability to be heard in Parliament will also be restricted by the parliamentary rules.
3. If the tories end up with a tumultuous leadership race I think Farage and Reform's attention (and comments) will turn towards that race rather than on opposing the government. Why - well because who ends up as tory leader impacts Farage and Reform's prospects far more - including the possibility of merger.
4. Farage will (as he always does) get bored - give it a few months and no doubt we will find that he needs to spend more time in Washington (for reasons) rather than Clacton or Westminster. His attention will inevitably turn to the US election rather than opposing Starmer's government.
5. Reform/Brexit/UKIP - all the vehicles for Farage have a tendency to fall apart when required to conform to the rules of elected office - see their squabbling in the EU parliament, inability to cement and retain councils etc. So expect Farage, Anderson and Tice to have a falling out pretty soon - likely over Farage's absenteeing and Anderson (at least) considering that Reform need to focus on being a parliamentary party.
6. The weird power of Westminster to turn rebels into conformists - I've seen this several times with a few MPs I've known - railing against the system, but as soon as in Westminster loving nothing better than to extoll the virtues of the 'traditions'.