Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed that Nigel Farage is performing her "spring cleaning" after the high-profile defection of former minister Robert Jenrick to Reform UK.
'Instability' and Secret Plots: The Jenrick Departure
The dramatic political shift was confirmed on Thursday, 15 January 2026, when Mr Jenrick appeared at a press conference alongside Mr Farage to announce his move. This came after Mrs Badenoch had already removed him from the Tory frontbench and suspended his party membership, citing evidence he was "plotting in secret".
Speaking during a visit to an offshore training centre in Aberdeen on Friday 16 January, the Tory leader was scathing. She stated that the Newark MP, who creates "instability" wherever he goes, was now "Nigel Farage’s problem".
"Reform has been taking a lot of people who could not find work elsewhere," Mrs Badenoch said. "They’ve been taking people who are repeatedly sacked from government. What I’m saying is that Nigel Farage is doing my spring cleaning."
A Stronger, More United Team?
Mrs Badenoch insisted the departure of figures like Mr Jenrick had left the Conservatives "more united" and a "stronger team". She directly criticised the defector, stating "Robert Jenrick was not a team player".
Her comments were echoed by Nick Timothy, the West Suffolk MP who replaced Mr Jenrick as shadow justice secretary. He told BBC Breakfast that the party's reaction in Parliament was one of "resolve", adding the Conservatives were "more united under Kemi’s leadership than I’ve known it for many years".
Despite the exodus, which also includes former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and sitting MP Danny Kruger, Mrs Badenoch told Sky News she is "100% confident" no further shadow cabinet members will defect.
No Pact with 'Liars' and a Party 'Getting Its Act Together'
In a firm declaration, the Conservative leader ruled out any electoral pact with Reform UK ahead of the next general election. "How do you do a deal with liars?" she asked rhetorically. "How do you do a deal with people who have been saying things that were clearly not true, not just for months, but clearly for years?"
When asked if more "spring cleaning" was needed within Tory ranks, she told the Press Association that anyone interested in "psychodrama" should leave. "If they’re people who do not belong in our party... they should go. We don’t want people like that in the Conservative Party," she asserted, claiming "the Conservative Party is getting its act together".
Meanwhile, Reform UK sought to present a united front. Chief whip Lee Anderson, who himself defected from the Tories in 2024, dismissed speculation that Mr Jenrick aimed to lead the party, insisting he wanted to be "part of the team".
The defection was further complicated by a leaked audio recording, obtained by The Telegraph, appearing to show Mr Jenrick heavily criticising Mr Farage in a speech to Tory members last year. In it, he reportedly claimed the Reform leader "can’t even run a five-a-side team" and that his party was "not a serious party". A Reform spokesman simply responded: "The Conservative Party is dead."
