In a dramatic escalation of Tory infighting, former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has revealed she is seriously considering defecting to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, dealing a potential hammer blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's struggling leadership.
The bombshell announcement came during a tense interview on TalkTV's Piers Morgan Uncensored, where the outspoken MP delivered a scathing assessment of her own party's direction under Sunak. Dorries didn't hold back, declaring the Conservatives had "abandoned the fundamental principles of conservatism" that once defined them.
A Party Adrift From Its Core Values
Dorries expressed profound disappointment with the current government's trajectory, suggesting the Tories have lost their way entirely. "This is not the Conservative Party that I joined," she stated bluntly, highlighting what she sees as a complete departure from traditional conservative values.
The former cabinet minister's comments represent the most serious threat of defection from a senior Tory figure to Reform UK, potentially opening floodgates for other disaffected Conservatives considering a similar move.
Sunak's Leadership Under Fire
Dorries didn't mince words when assessing the Prime Minister's performance, suggesting his leadership has taken the party dangerously off course. Her criticism adds to growing discontent within Tory ranks as the party trails Labour significantly in opinion polls.
The threat comes at a particularly vulnerable time for Sunak, who faces mounting pressure from both the opposition and rebel factions within his own party ahead of the next general election.
Reform UK's Growing Appeal
Nigel Farage's insurgent party has been steadily gaining traction among right-wing voters disillusioned with the Conservatives' approach to key issues including immigration and economic policy. A defection of Dorries' stature would represent Reform UK's most significant political coup to date.
Political analysts suggest such a move could encourage other Tory MPs considering their options to follow suit, potentially triggering a wider realignment on the British right.
The political landscape appears increasingly volatile as traditional party loyalties fracture, with Dorries' potential defection signalling what could be the beginning of a major reshuffling of British politics.
