Kemi Badenoch has issued a stern warning to Conservative MPs about individuals attempting to 'undermine the party from within', following a wave of defections to Reform UK. In a lengthy letter seen by the Guardian, the Conservative leader cautioned against 'psychodrama' and 'intrigue', and urged MPs to ensure their staff are aligned with party strategy and values.
The letter comes after three defections in a week, including sitting MPs Robert Jenrick and Andrew Rosindell. Badenoch described the departures as a 'minor setback' and insisted they did not signal a shift towards centrist policies, stating: 'We are THE party of the right and must remain so.' She was particularly critical of Jenrick, who held secret talks with Reform leader Nigel Farage while serving as shadow justice secretary.
Rosindell cited the government's Chagos Islands deal as his reason for leaving, but Badenoch dismissed this, claiming his justification 'does not stand up to scrutiny'. She predicted that Reform would face internal contradictions from absorbing such defectors, describing them as a 'populist party' with incoherent policies.
Badenoch warned that those who cannot support the party's direction are free to leave, but those who seek to damage it 'will be dealt with firmly and fairly'. The intervention comes as the Conservatives languish in opinion polls, though Badenoch has been praised by some colleagues for her decisive handling of the situation.
