Suella Braverman's surprise appearance at a Reform UK rally on Monday has been seen as a predictable but risky move for Nigel Farage's party. The former home secretary, twice sacked from the cabinet, was introduced as a 'surprise guest' at a London event ostensibly about veterans' affairs.
Braverman, who had previously ruled out ever joining Reform, told cheering supporters she had 'come home'. Her defection brings Reform's total parliamentary strength to eight, including four former Conservatives. However, her history of controversies and being 'not a team player' according to party insiders may hinder Farage's efforts to broaden the party's appeal.
Braverman's record includes being forced to resign as home secretary under Liz Truss for using a personal email to send sensitive documents, and being sacked by Rishi Sunak after writing an unauthorised article that exacerbated tensions over policing of protests. She has been on the backbenches for over three years and had no prospect of advancement under Kemi Badenoch.
Farage denied previously rejecting Braverman but acknowledged others in his party had reservations. The defection is a gamble for Reform, which needs to attract voters beyond its core 20% support. Critics argue that recruiting former Conservative officials risks tainting the party with the legacy of failed past governments.
