Simon Hart, the former Conservative chief whip, has cautioned Nigel Farage that welcoming defectors from the Conservative Party to Reform UK may bring more trouble than benefit. Writing in a national newspaper, Hart drew on his experience managing party defections, arguing that such individuals often prove to be opportunistic and unreliable.
Hart recalled the defections of MPs Dan Poulter and Natalie Elphicke to Labour in 2024, noting that both had given no prior warning and had misled colleagues about their intentions. He described a pattern of secrecy and self-interest among defectors, suggesting that Reform should not expect different behaviour from those switching to its ranks.
The former whip listed several Conservative figures who have joined Reform, including Lee Anderson, Andrea Jenkyns, and Danny Kruger. He noted that many had previously supported immigration policies under Boris Johnson that they now claim to oppose. Hart characterised the group as loners who struggle with consensus and often seek personal rewards such as election seats or peerages.
Hart warned that defectors typically expect something in return, and if those expectations are not met, they may cause embarrassment for their new party. He concluded that Farage should be wary of the turncoats he is embracing, as they may ultimately be more of a liability than an asset.
