Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has directly attributed the high-profile defection of former shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick to Reform UK as a matter of "personal ambition" rather than any ideological rift. Speaking to backbench Tory MPs at the first gathering of the 1922 Committee since the political departure, Badenoch sought to reframe the narrative surrounding the loss of a senior figure to Nigel Farage's rival party.
Addressing the Defections Head-On
In a pointed address to her parliamentary colleagues on Wednesday evening, Badenoch stated unequivocally: "We lost someone not on ideology, but personal ambition." This characterisation comes after Jenrick officially joined Reform UK last Thursday, delivering a stinging critique in which he described Britain as "broken" and blamed both the Conservative and Labour parties for the nation's troubles.
The defection followed Badenoch's decision to sack Jenrick from her frontbench team, with the Tory leader subsequently accusing him of orchestrating his exit to inflict maximum damage on the party. The political landscape shifted further over the weekend when Romford MP Andrew Rosindell also crossed the floor to Reform, bolstering Farage's parliamentary contingent to seven MPs.
Contesting the Reform Narrative
Badenoch used the private meeting to directly challenge the political narrative being advanced by Reform UK. She appeared to counter Farage's claim that his party now represents the "genuine centre-right of this country," firmly asserting the Conservative Party's position.
"We are not moving leftwards, we are the party of the right and will always be a party of the right," Badenoch told assembled MPs. "We have to push back, don't let other people speak for us."
Addressing Reform's central campaign theme of "broken Britain," the Conservative leader offered a more nuanced assessment: "There is a lot to fix in this country. A lot of stuff isn't working, a lot is broken, but the whole country isn't broken beyond repair."
Positioning Hope Against Negativity
Badenoch outlined what she presented as a fundamental philosophical difference between the Conservatives and their rivals on the right. "We need to show hope, aspiration and that we can fix problems – we are brave enough to take tough decisions, and we are competent enough to deliver," she argued.
Drawing a clear distinction, she added: "Where Reform are negative about our country, we will be fuelled by positivity." This formulation represents a deliberate attempt to contrast what Badenoch portrays as Reform's pessimistic outlook with a more optimistic Conservative vision for national renewal.
Critiquing Labour's Approach
The Tory leader also turned her attention to the governing Labour Party, telling her MPs: "People don't want incremental managerialism. They want a vision." This critique suggests Badenoch believes the current government lacks the bold, transformative agenda that voters are seeking, creating political space for a reinvigorated Conservative opposition.
Party Unity and Future Focus
Emerging from the parliamentary committee room, Conservative MPs appeared broadly positive about their leader's thirty-minute address. One senior figure suggested that rather than demoralising the party, Jenrick's defection had actually "galvanised" Tory ranks, with attention now firmly fixed on future electoral prospects.
Another MP told the Press Association that while Rosindell had been among those "on watch" for potential defection for some time, the party now felt "more united than ever." This assessment, whether entirely accurate or strategically optimistic, reflects the leadership's determination to project strength and cohesion following recent setbacks.
Jenrick's New Parliamentary Position
Meanwhile, Robert Jenrick made his first appearance in the House of Commons chamber alongside his new Reform UK colleagues on Wednesday. He took his seat during Prime Minister's Questions between fellow defectors Lee Anderson and Danny Kruger, both of whom also left the Conservative benches while serving as sitting MPs.
This visual representation of growing Reform parliamentary presence underscores the ongoing challenge facing Badenoch as she attempts to consolidate her party's position as the dominant force on Britain's political right. The coming months will test whether her emphasis on unity, competence and positive vision can stem further defections and rebuild Conservative fortunes.
